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Biophysical Properties of Recombinant γ2- and δ-subunit Containing GABAA Receptors

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Extrasynaptic GABAA Receptors

Part of the book series: The Receptors ((REC,volume 27))

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Abstract

GABAA receptors mediate the majority of GABAergic signaling in the mammalian brain and are thus primarily responsible for maintaining inhibitory tone. GABAA receptors mediate two modes of inhibitory neurotransmission, phasic synaptic inhibition and tonic extra- or perisynaptic inhibition. Phasic inhibition is mediated primarily by activation of subsynaptic αβγ2 receptors, whereas tonic inhibition is mediated primarily by extrasynaptic or perisynaptic αβδ GABAA receptors. The biophysical properties of γ2 and δ subunit-containing receptors are complex yet quite different, consistent with the unique demands of phasic and tonic inhibitory systems. Mutations in GABAA receptor genes (GABRs) have been associated with genetic epilepsies in humans. However, genetic epilepsies are more commonly associated with γ-aminobutyric acid-A receptor γ2 (GABRG2) mutations than γ-aminobutyric acid-A receptor δ (GABRD) mutations, suggesting considerable differences in the role of αβγ2 and αβδ receptors in regulating thalamocortical excitability.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1211 Medical Center Dr, 37212, Nashville, TN, USA

    Robert L. Macdonald

  2. Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1211 Medical Center Dr, 37212, Nashville, TN, USA

    Robert L. Macdonald

  3. Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1211 Medical Center Dr, 37212, Nashville, TN, USA

    Robert L. Macdonald

  4. Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, 19104, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Emmanuel J. Botzolakis

Authors
  1. Robert L. Macdonald
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  2. Emmanuel J. Botzolakis
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Correspondence to Robert L. Macdonald .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom

    Adam C. Errington

  2. Dept. of Physiology & Biochemistry, University of Malta, Msida MSD, Malta

    Giuseppe Di Giovanni

  3. School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom

    Vincenzo Crunelli

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Macdonald, R., Botzolakis, E. (2014). Biophysical Properties of Recombinant γ2- and δ-subunit Containing GABAA Receptors. In: Errington, A., Di Giovanni, G., Crunelli, V. (eds) Extrasynaptic GABAA Receptors. The Receptors, vol 27. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1426-5_3

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