The alpha1 subunit of GABAA receptor is repressed by c-myc and is pro-apoptotic.

The c-myc oncoprotein plays a critical role in the regulation of cellular proliferation and apoptosis. To mediate these biological functions, a variety of target genes are activated or repressed by c-myc, but few genes have yet been identified that directly mediate c-myc's role in proliferation or apoptosis. During a screen for genes that are repressed by c-myc, we identified the alpha1 subunit of gamma aminobutyric acid receptor (GABAAR-alpha1) as a novel target of c-myc.