The GABA-A receptor gene family: new targets for therapeutic intervention

Until 1987, when the first GABA-A receptor subunit cDNAs were cloned and sequenced, it was thought that there were perhaps two subtypes of receptor in the brain. These were defined by the fact that benzodiazepines, which act through the GABA-A receptor, had two binding sites with different affinitie...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neurochemistry International 1999-05, Vol.34 (5), p.387-390
Main Author: Whiting, Paul J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Benzodiazepines - pharmacology
Binding Sites
Biological and medical sciences
Brain Chemistry
Central nervous system
Central neurotransmission. Neuromudulation. Pathways and receptors
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
gamma-Aminobutyric Acid - pharmacology
Humans
Receptors, GABA-A - chemistry
Receptors, GABA-A - drug effects
Receptors, GABA-A - genetics
Receptors, GABA-A - physiology
Therapeutics
Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs
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Summary:Until 1987, when the first GABA-A receptor subunit cDNAs were cloned and sequenced, it was thought that there were perhaps two subtypes of receptor in the brain. These were defined by the fact that benzodiazepines, which act through the GABA-A receptor, had two binding sites with different affinities. By 1991 it was known that the GABA-A receptor family existed as a family of subunits which coassembled to form a family of receptor subtypes in the brain. More recently, two additional GABA-A receptor subunits have been identified, ε and θ. The identification of these new members of the gene family, and the characterisation of the receptor subtypes into which they are incorporated, is reviewed.
ISSN:0197-0186
1872-9754
DOI:10.1016/S0197-0186(99)00048-0