Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid A Receptor Alpha 4 (gABRa4)

GABRA4 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 deduced 554-amino acid protein showed 92% and 88% identity to the bovine and rat sequences, respectively. The alpha-4 subunit most closely resembled the alpha-6 (GABRA6) subunit, with 64% amino acid similarity. In vitro functional expression studies showed that recombinant GABA receptors containing the alpha-4 subunit were insensitive to benzodiazepine agonists but showed some sensitivity to partial and inverse agonists.