Modulatory actions of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) on GABA type a receptor subunit expression and function
✍ Scribed by Dr. A. Schousboe; D. A. Redburn
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 1995
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 816 KB
- Volume
- 41
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0360-4012
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
✦ Synopsis
Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) is present in the central nervous system (CNS) during very early embryogenesis. It is therefore likely to play a role not only as a neurotransmitter but also as a signal molecule for neuronal differentiation, growth, and development. It has been firmly established that formation of synapses is strengthened by GABA, and the expression of certain subunits of the GABA type A (GABA,) receptor complex is clearly promoted by GABA. This latter effect of GABA may have profound implications for the functional activity of GABAergic synapses since the pharmacological properties of GABA, receptors are governed by the subunit composition of the receptor complex. Dynamic changes in GABAA receptor expression and diversity during development and differentiation may therefore play important roles for the inhibitory potential of the CNS during mature stages.