Altering the relative abundance of GABA A receptor subunits changes GABA- and ethanol-responses in Xenopus oocytes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Variations in GABRA2 and GABRG3, genes encoding the alpha2 and gamma3 subunits of the pentameric GABA(A) receptor, are associated with the risk of developing alcoholism in adults, conduct disorder at younger ages, and with differences in electroencephalographic power in the beta frequency range. The SNPs associated with alcoholism did not alter the coding of these genes, and extensive DNA sequencing of GABRA2 did not find coding changes in the high-risk haplotypes. Therefore, we hypothesize that the associations arise from differences in gene expression.

Methods

Here we report studies in Xenopus oocytes to examine the functional effects of altering the relative abundance of these 2 receptor subunits on GABA current and response to ethanol, as a model of potential

SUBMITTER: Hurley JH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4136686 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature