Abstract

GABA(B) receptors (GABA(B)Rs) are G protein-coupled receptors for GABA, the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS. In the past 5 years, notable advances have been made in our understanding of the molecular composition of these receptors. GABA(B)Rs are now known to comprise principal and auxiliary subunits that influence receptor properties in distinct ways. The principal subunits regulate the surface expression and the axonal versus dendritic distribution of these receptors, whereas the auxiliary subunits determine agonist potency and the kinetics of the receptor response. This Review summarizes current knowledge on how the subunit composition of GABA(B)Rs affects the distribution of these receptors, neuronal processes and higher brain functions.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Gassmann M, Bettler B

Institution

Department of Biomedicine, Institute of Physiology, University of Basel, Klingelbergstr. 50-70, 4056 Basel, Switzerland. martin.gassmann@unibas.ch

Source

Nature reviews. Neuroscience 13:6 2012 Jun pg 380-94

MeSH

Animals
Axons
Brain
Dendrites
GABA Agonists
GABA Antagonists
Glutamic Acid
Humans
Membrane Proteins
Nervous System Diseases
Neurons
Phosphorylation
Phylogeny
Presynaptic Terminals
Receptor Cross-Talk
Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
Receptors, GABA-B
gamma-Aminobutyric Acid

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22595784