GABRA1 (human), recombinant protein

Protein function: Ligand-gated chloride channel which is a component of the heteropentameric receptor for GABA, the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain (PubMed:23909897, PubMed:25489750, PubMed:29950725). Plays an important role in the formation of functional inhibitory GABAergic synapses in addition to mediating synaptic inhibition as a GABA-gated ion channel (PubMed:23909897, PubMed:25489750). The gamma2 subunit is necessary but not sufficient for a rapid formation of active synaptic contacts and the synaptogenic effect of this subunit is influenced by the type of alpha and beta subunits present in the receptor pentamer. The alpha1/beta2/gamma2 receptor and the alpha1/beta3/gamma2 receptor exhibit synaptogenic activity (PubMed:23909897, PubMed:25489750). GABRA1-mediated plasticity in the orbitofrontal cortex regulates context-dependent action selection. Functions also as histamine receptor and mediates cellular responses to histamine. [The UniProt Consortium]