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Molecular Biology and Ontogeny of -Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Receptors in the Mammalian Central Nervous System

Interdepartmental Program in Neuroscience, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT

Sean D. Donevan, PhD

Pfizer Global Research and Development, Ann Arbor, MI

Jong M. Rho, MD

Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, University of California at Irvine College of Medicine, Irvine, CA, jmrho{at}uci.edu.

-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the predominant inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system. After release from nerve terminals, GABA binds to at least two classes of postsynaptic receptors (ie, GABA_A and GABA _B), which are nearly ubiquitous in the brain. GABA_A receptors are postsynaptic heteropentameric complexes that display unique physiologic and pharmacologic properties based on subunit composition. Activation of GABA _A receptors in mature neurons results in membrane hyperpolarization, which is mediated principally by inward chloride flux, whereas in early stages of brain development, GABA_A receptor activation causes depolarization of the postsynaptic membrane. GABA_B receptors reside both presynaptically and postsynaptically, exist as heterodimers and are coupled to voltage-dependent ion channels through interactions with heterotrimeric G proteins. This review summarizes the molecular biology and ontogeny of GABA_A and GABA _B receptors, highlighting some of their putative roles during normal brain development as well as in disease states such as epilepsy. (J Child Neurol 2003; 18: 39—48).

Journal of Child Neurology, Vol. 18, No. 1, 39-48 (2003)
DOI: 10.1177/08830738030180012101


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