γ-Aminobutyric acid type A receptors (GABAARs) are the principal mediators of fast synaptic inhibition in the brain as well as the low persistent extrasynaptic inhibition, both of which are fundamental to proper brain function. Thus unsurprisingly, deficits in GABAARs are implicated in a number of neurological disorders and diseases. The complexity of GABAAR regulation is determined not only by the heterogeneity of these receptors but also by its posttranslational modifications, the foremost, and best characterized of which is phosphorylation. This review will explore the details of this dynamic process, our understanding of which has barely scratched the surface. GABAARs are regulated by a number of kinases and phosphatases, and its phosphorylation plays an important role in governing its trafficking, expression, and interaction partners. Here, we summarize the progress in understanding the role phosphorylation plays in the regulation of GABAARs. This includes how phosphorylation can affect the allosteric modulation of GABAARs, as well as signaling pathways that affect GABAAR phosphorylation. Finally, we discuss the dysregulation of GABAAR phosphorylation and its implication in disease processes.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5337123 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/bs.apha.2014.11.008 | DOI Listing |
Neuromolecular Med
January 2025
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221 005, India.
Hypoxia is a significant stressor, and stabilized hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) regulates the expression of numerous genes, leading to various biochemical, molecular, physiological and genomic changes. The body's oxygen-sensing system activates gene expression to protect brain tissues from hypoxia. Gamma-aminobutyric acid, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, regulates brain excitability during hypoxia through the activation of HIF-1 α.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Med Chem
January 2025
Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark.
GABA receptors (GABARs) are the major elements of inhibitory neurotransmission in the central nervous system (CNS). They are established targets for regulation by endogenous brain neuroactive steroids (NASs) such as pregnanolone. However, the complexity of de novo synthesis of NAS derivatives has hindered attempts to circumvent the principal limitations of using endogenous NASs, including selectivity and limited oral bioavailability.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCNS Neurosci Ther
January 2025
School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China.
Aims: N-Demethylsinomenine (NDSM) demonstrates good analgesic efficacy in preclinical pain models. However, how NDSM exerts analgesic actions remains unknown.
Methods: We examined the analgesic effects of NDSM using both pain-evoked and pain-suppressed behavioral assays in two persistent pain models.
Curr Opin Neurobiol
December 2024
Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 East 19th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. Electronic address:
GABAergic synaptic inhibition controls circuit function by regulating neuronal plasticity, excitability, and firing. To achieve these goals, inhibitory synapses themselves undergo several forms of plasticity via diverse mechanisms, strengthening and weakening phasic inhibition in response to numerous activity-induced stimuli. These mechanisms include changing the number and arrangement of functional GABARs within the inhibitory postsynaptic domain (iPSD), which can profoundly regulate inhibitory synapse strength.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBrain
December 2024
School of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 2DT, UK.
Convergent data, across species, paint a compelling picture of the critical role of the gut and its resident microbiota in several brain functions and disorders. The chemicals mediating communication along these sophisticated highways of the brain-gut-microbiome (BGM) axis include both microbiota metabolites and classical neurotransmitters. Amongst the latter, GABA is fundamental to brain function where it mediates the majority of neuronal inhibition.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!