| Function | Alpha subunit of the heteropentameric ligand-gated chloride channel gated by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. GABA-gated chloride channels, also named GABA(A) receptors (GABAAR), consist of five subunits arranged around a central pore and contain GABA active binding site(s) located at the alpha and beta subunit interface(s). Alpha-4/GABRA4 subunit often assembles with delta or gamma-2 subunits, in combination with beta subunits. When activated by GABA, GABAARs selectively allow the flow of chloride anions across the cell membrane down their electrochemical gradient. GABAARs containing alpha-4 are predominantly extrasynaptic, contributing to tonic inhibition in dentate granule cells and thalamic relay neurons. Extrasynaptic alpha-4-containing GABAARs control levels of excitability and network activity. GABAAR containing alpha-4-beta-3-delta subunits can simultaneously bind GABA and histamine where histamine binds at the interface of two neighboring beta subunits, which may be involved in the regulation of sleep and wakefulness. |
| Protein Name | Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Receptor Subunit Alpha-4Gaba(A Receptor Subunit Alpha-4Gabaar Subunit Alpha-4 |
| Database Links | Reactome: R-RNO-977443 |
| Cellular Localisation | Cell MembraneMulti-Pass Membrane ProteinPostsynaptic Cell Membrane |
| Alternative Antibody Names | Anti-Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Receptor Subunit Alpha-4 antibodyAnti-Gaba(A Receptor Subunit Alpha-4 antibodyAnti-Gabaar Subunit Alpha-4 antibodyAnti-Gabra4 antibody |
Information sourced from Uniprot.org
