The role of GABA(B) receptors in the regulation of excitatory neurotransmission.
GABA(B) receptors are the metabotrophic receptors for GABA. They are members of the G-protein coupled superfamily of receptors but are highly unusual as they are made up of a dimer of 7-transmembrane spanning subunits. The receptors are widely distributed throughout the central nervous system where they act post-synaptically to cause a long-lasting hyperpolarisation through the activation of a potassium conductance. They are also present pre-synaptically where they act as auto and heteroreceptors to inhibit neurotransmitter release. GABA(B) receptors play a complex role in the regulation of excitatory transmission and their activation can have both inhibitory and dis-inhibitory effects. This has profound physiological and behavioural consequences including modification of LTP and memory, regulation of seizure activity and nociception.
Marshall
Fiona H
FH
Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, UK. fhm24@cam.ac.uk
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D019706:Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D018756:GABA Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D009433:Neural Inhibition / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000502:physiology*; D018080:Receptors, GABA-B / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*
D018756:GABA Antagonists; D018080:Receptors, GABA-B; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid