Optopharmacology reveals a differential contribution of native GABA_A receptors to dendritic and somatic inhibition using azogabazine.

ABSTRACT: γ-aminobutyric acid type-A receptors (GABA_ARs) are inhibitory ligand-gated ion channels in the brain that are crucial for controlling neuronal excitation. To explore their physiological roles in cellular and neural network activity, it is important to understand why specific GABA_AR isoforms are distributed not only to various brain regions and cell types, but also to specific areas of the membrane in individual neurons. To address this aim we have developed a novel photosensitive compound, azogabazine, that targets and reversibly inhibits GABA_ARs. The receptor selectivity of the compound is based on the competitive antagonist, gabazine, and photosensitivity is conferred by a photoisomerisable azobenzene group. Azogabazine can exist in either cis or trans co

SUBMITTER: Mortensen M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7482436 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature