Unlocking GABA Receptors

[brake]

Unlocking GABA Receptors

 

"New research has revealed the diverse assembly and regulation of Type-A GABA receptors (GABAARs), which are crucial for balancing brain activity. Using cryogenic electron microscopy, researchers identified over 324,000 potential receptor structures, shaped by subunit combinations and their relative arrangement."

"GABAaRs are made up of 19 molecular subunits, and different structures produced by different combinations of these subunits lead to different functions of the receptor. Researchers previously thought there might be about 800 different receptor types.

With new information gleaned from their research, such as the importance of the relative arrangement of subunits, Sente and colleagues calculated there could be as many as 324, 727 possible receptor structures."

"GABAARs are already targeted by drugs to treat anxiety, seizures and during general anesthesia."

Edited November 15, 2024 by brake