Discovering the World of GABA Electrophysiology and Pharmacology
Joshua Singer
Mentor(s):
Celest Austin, Anna Sedelnikova, David Weiss, PhD
- γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system
- GABA can bind to GABAA receptors
- GABAA receptors are comprised of five subunits with the most common being two αs, two βs, and a γ subunit. This combination was determined by Dr. David Weiss.
- The possible subunit combinations to form a GABAA receptor arise from a pool of subunits: α1-6, β1-3, γ1-3, θ, δ, π, and ε.
- GABA binds to the α-β subunit interface that forms the GABA binding site
- This binding of GABA to the GABAA receptor triggers chloride influx through the selective GABAA receptor pore, hyperpolarizing the membrane thereby causing an inhibitory response
- A balance between inhibitory and excitatory responses is typically seen in a functional network
- A disruption in this balance can cause neuropathlogical disorders like epilepsy