title: The role of Loop F in the activation of the GABA receptor.
abstract: Functional studies of the ligand gated ion channel family (nicotinic acetylcholine, serotonin Type 3, glycine and GABA receptors) along with the crystal structure of the acetylcholine binding protein (AChBP) and molecular dynamics simulations of the nAChR structure have resulted in a structural model in which the agonist-binding pocket comprises six loops (A-F) contributed by adjacent subunits. It is presumed that the binding of agonist results in a local structural rearrangement that is then transduced to the gate, causing the pore to open. Efforts are underway to better define the specific roles of the six binding loops. Several studies have suggested Loop F may play a direct role in linking the structural rearrangement within the binding pocket to the gate, although other investigations have indicated Loop F may be crucial for locking the agonist molecule into the binding site. This review will focus on the controversy surrounding the role of Loop F during GABA receptor activation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
authors.forename: Alpa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khatri
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Weiss
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D015640:Ion Channel Gating; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011487:Protein Conformation; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D021122:Protein Subunits; D018079:Receptors, GABA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D021122:Protein Subunits; D018079:Receptors, GABA