Protein Details: Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit gamma-2

Function

Gamma subunit of the heteropentameric ligand-gated chloride channel gated by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA); a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. GABA-gated chloride channels; also named GABA(A) receptors (GABAAR); consist of five subunits arranged around a central pore and contain GABA active binding site(s) located at the alpha and beta subunit interface(s). When activated by GABA; GABAARs selectively allow the flow of chloride anions across the cell membrane down their electrochemical gradient. Gamma-2/GABRG2-containing GABAARs are found at both synaptic and extrasynaptic sites. Chloride influx into the postsynaptic neuron following GABAAR opening decreases the neuron ability to generate a new action potential; thereby reducing nerve transmission (By similarity). GABAARs containing alpha-1 and beta-2 or -3 subunits exhibit synaptogenic activity; the gamma-2 subunit being necessary but not sufficient to induce rapid synaptic contacts formation (By similarity). Extrasynaptic gamma-2-containing receptors contribute to the tonic GABAergic inhibition. GABAARs function also as histamine receptor where histamine binds at the interface of two neighboring beta subunits and potentiates GABA response in a gamma-2 subunit-controlled manner (By similarity).

Sequence

PDB Structures

Ligand Binding