Protein Details: Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit alpha-1

Function

Alpha 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) (By similarity). When activated by GABA; GABAARs selectively allow the flow of chloride anions across the cell membrane down their electrochemical gradient (By similarity). 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). The GABAARs can also initiate the formation of functional inhibitory GABAergic synapses (By similarity). GABAARs function also as histamine receptor where histamine binds at the interface of two neighboring beta subunits and potentiates GABA response (By similarity).

Sequence

PDB Structures

Ligand Binding