Pre- and post-synaptic mechanisms regulating the clustering of type A gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors (GABAA receptors)

Biochem Soc Trans. 2003 Aug;31(Pt 4):889-92. doi: 10.1042/bst0310889.

Abstract

Postsynaptic clustering of GABAA (type A gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptors is essential to ensure proper function of GABAergic synapses. This process is initiated during synapse formation and is maintained throughout life. The tubulin-associated protein gephyrin is required for clustering of GABAA receptors, but its specific role in this process is not understood. A second protein associated selectively with GABAA receptors at postsynaptic sites is dystrophin. It is present in a subset of GABAergic synapses along with several partners, forming the dystrophin-associated protein complex. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the role of neuronal activity and trans-synaptic signaling for the clustering of gephyrin and dystrophin during synaptogenesis and on the role of these proteins for plasticity and maintenance of mature synapses.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carrier Proteins / physiology
  • Dystrophin / chemistry
  • Dystrophin / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / physiology
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Presynaptic Terminals / metabolism
  • Receptors, GABA-A / metabolism*
  • Synapses / metabolism*

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Dystrophin
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Receptors, GABA-A
  • gephyrin