GABA-A receptors & associated proteins

During their lifetime, GABA_A receptors are associated with a variety of other proteins. Some of these proteins might facilitate assembly of receptors and transport of mature, functional receptors to their site of action. Other proteins mediate anchoring to the cytoskeleton, or provide mechanisms that ensure the regulation or efficient turnover of the receptors. And finally, evidence has accumulated for an interaction of GABA_A receptors with structurally and functionally divergent families of other neurotransmitter receptors. This interaction enables crosstalk between these receptor systems to dynamically regulate synaptic strength independently of classically defined second-messenger systems.

 We are identifying proteins interacting with specific GABA_A receptor subtypes, studying the interaction of GABA_A receptors with a neuronal protein possibly involved in receptor maturation and/or transport and investigating the interaction of GABA_A receptors with other ionotropic or metabotropic receptors.