Assembly rules for GABA_A receptor complexes in the brain.

ABSTRACT: GABA_A receptor (GABA_AR) pentamers are assembled from a pool of 19 subunits, and variety in subunit combinations diversifies GABA_AR functions to tune brain activity. Pentamers with distinct subunit compositions localize differentially at synaptic and non-synaptic sites to mediate phasic and tonic inhibition, respectively. Despite multitudes of theoretical permutations, limited subunit combinations have been identified in the brain. Currently, no molecular model exists for combinatorial GABA_AR assembly in vivo. Here, we reveal assembly rules of native GABA_AR complexes that explain GABA_AR subunit subcellular distributions using mice and Xenopus laevis oocytes. First, α subunits possess intrinsic signals to segregate into

SUBMITTER: Martenson JS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5577914 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature