Protein Domain : Gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor/Glycine receptor alpha IPR006028

Type  Family
Description  Gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors are members of the neurotransmitter ligand-gated ion channels: they mediate neuronal inhibition on binding GABA. The effects of GABA on GABAA receptors are modulated by a range of therapeutically important drugs, including barbiturates, anaesthetics and benzodiazepines (BZs) [ ]. The BZs are a diverse range of compounds, including widely prescribed drugs, such as librium and valium, and their interaction with GABAA receptors provides the most potent pharmacological means of distinguishing different GABAA receptor subtypes.GABAA receptors are pentameric membrane proteins that operate GABA-gated chloride channels [ ]. Eight types of receptor subunit have been cloned, with multiple subtypes within some classes: alpha 1-6, beta 1-4, gamma 1-4, delta, epsilon, pi, rho 1-3 and theta [, ]. Subunits are typically 50-60kDa in size and comprise a long N-terminal extracellular domain, containing a putative signal peptide and a disulphide-bonded beta structural loop; 4 putative transmembrane (TM) domains; and a large cytoplasmic loop connecting the third and fourth TM domains. Amongst family members, the large cytoplasmic loop displays the most divergence in terms of primary structure, the TM domains showing the highest level of sequence conservation [].Most GABAA receptors contain one type of alpha and beta subunit, and a single gamma polypeptide in a ratio of 2:2:1 [ ], though in some cases other subunits such as epsilon or delta may replace gamma. The BZ binding site is located at the interface of adjacent alpha and gamma subunits; therefore, the type of alpha and gamma subunits present is instrumental in determining BZ selectivity and sensitivity. Receptors can be categorised into 3 groups based on their alpha subunit content and, hence, sensitivity to BZs: alpha 1-containing receptors have greatest sensitivity towards BZs (type I); alpha 2, 3 and 5-containing receptors have similar but distinguishable properties (type II); and alpha 4- and 6-containing assemblies have very low BZ affinity []. A conserved histidine residue in the alpha subunit of type I and II receptors is believed to be responsible for BZ affinity []. This entry also includes glycine receptor subunit alpha [ ]; subunits of the acetylcholine-gated chloride channel (ACC), Acetylcholine-gated ion channel acc-4 and Serotonin-gated chloride channel mod-1 in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans; and Glutamate-gated chloride channel from Drosophila melanogaster (DrosGluCl). ACC is a heteropentamer consisting of ACC-1 and ACC-3, ACC-1 and ACC-4, ACC-2 and ACC-3 or ACC-2 and ACC-4. It is triggered in response to acetylcholine, but not GABA, glutamate, glycine, histamine or dopamine []. DrosGluCl plays an important role in the visual response by regulating the activity of ON/OFF-selective neurons [].
Short Name  GABAA/Glycine_rcpt

9 Child Features

0 Gene Families

0 Genes

4 Ontology Annotations

1 Parent Features

0 Publications

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