An Update on GABAρ Receptors

Gustavo      Martinez-Delgado; Argel      Estrada-Mondragon; Ricardo      Miledi; Ataulfo      Martinez-Torres

doi:10.2174/157015910793358141

Abstract

The present review discusses the functional and molecular diversity of GABAρ receptors. These receptors were originally described in the mammalian retina, and their functional role in the visual pathway has been recently elucidated; however new studies on their distribution in the brain and spinal cord have revealed that they are more spread than originally thought, and thus it will be important to determine their physiological contribution to the GABAergic trans- mission in other areas of the central nervous system. In addition, molecular modeling has revealed peculiar traits of these receptors that have impacted on the interpretations of the latest pharmacolgical and biophysical findings. Finally, sequencing of several vertebrate genomes has permitted a comparative analysis of the organization of the GABAρ genes.

Keywords: GABA receptor gene organization, Ligand Gated Ion Channel, Receptor structure, TPMPA, transmitters, pharmacological, molecular modeling, intracellular trafficking, bicuculline, mRNA, Cys-loop, acetylcholine receptors, ionotropic 5-HT receptors, Zn2+-activated ion channel, oocytes, ionotropic receptors, Cis-4-aminocrotonic acid, tetrahydropyridine-4 methylphosphinic acid, nidine-acetic acid, amino-cyclopent-1-enyl phosphinic acid, aminocyclopentanyl, butylphosphinic acid, myopia, barbiturates, neurosteroids, benzodiazepines, cysteines, heteropentameric com-plexes, immunoglobulin, hydro-phobic shelter, Cys-loop receptors, receptor-like currents, somatrophs, gonadrops, adenoma cell line, heteromeric receptors, neuroglia, Cl-channel during, neurotoxicity, Amygdala, Glycine-receptor, axon terminal, Microtubule-Associated, fluorescence microscopy, en-docytic system, neuronal compartments