Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid A Receptor Pi (gABRp)

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors are a family of proteins involved in the GABAergic neurotransmission of the mammalian central nervous system. GABRP is a member of the GABA-A receptor gene family of heteromeric pentameric ligand-gated ion channels through which GABA, the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian brain, acts. GABA-A receptors are the site of action of a number of important pharmacologic agents including barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and ethanol. The predicted 440-amino acid sequence of human GABRP is 93% identical to that of rat Gabrp. Expression of human GABRP in mammalian cells indicated that GABRP can combine with other GABA-A receptor subunits and alter the sensitivity of recombinant receptors to modulatory agents such as the steroid pregnanolone.