Maintaining the correct balance in neuronal activation is of paramount importance to normal brain function. Imbalances due to changes in excitation or inhibition can lead to a variety of disorders ranging from the clinically extreme (e.g. epilepsy) to the more subtle (e.g. anxiety). In the brain, the most common inhibitory synapses are regulated by GABAA (γ-aminobutyric acid type A) receptors, a role commensurate with their importance as therapeutic targets. Remarkably, we still know relatively little about GABAA receptor biogenesis. Receptors are constructed as pentameric ion channels, with α and β subunits being the minimal requirement, and the incorporation of a γ subunit being necessary for benzodiazepine modulation and synaptic targeting. Insights have been provided by the discovery of several specific assembly signals within different GABAA receptor subunits. Moreover, a number of recent studies on GABAA receptor mutations associated with epilepsy have further enhanced our understanding of GABAA receptor biogenesis, structure and function.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
October 2006
-
Cover Image
Cover Image
- PDF Icon PDF LinkFront Matter
- PDF Icon PDF LinkTable of Contents
Conference Article|
October 25 2006
The role of GABAA receptor biogenesis, structure and function in epilepsy Available to Purchase
S. Mizielinska;
S. Mizielinska
1Neuroscience Institute, Ninewells Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, U.K.
Search for other works by this author on:
S. Greenwood;
S. Greenwood
1Neuroscience Institute, Ninewells Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, U.K.
Search for other works by this author on:
C.N. Connolly
C.N. Connolly
1
1Neuroscience Institute, Ninewells Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, U.K.
1To whom correspondence should be addressed (email [email protected]).
Search for other works by this author on:
Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
July 06 2006
Online ISSN: 1470-8752
Print ISSN: 0300-5127
© 2006 The Biochemical Society
2006
Biochem Soc Trans (2006) 34 (5): 863–867.
Article history
Received:
July 06 2006
Citation
S. Mizielinska, S. Greenwood, C.N. Connolly; The role of GABAA receptor biogenesis, structure and function in epilepsy. Biochem Soc Trans 1 October 2006; 34 (5): 863–867. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BST0340863
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Sign in to your personal account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Could not validate captcha. Please try again.
Biochemical Society Member Sign in
Sign InSign in via your Institution
Sign in via your InstitutionGet Access To This Article
Get Email Alerts
Open Access for all
We offer compliant routes for all authors from 2025. With library support, there will be no author nor reader charges in 5 journals. Check here |
![]() |