Molecular constituents and localization of the ionotropic GABA receptor complex in vivo.

The ionotropic GABA receptor (GABAAR) mediates fast inhibition in the brain. The GABAAR pore-forming (α, β, and non-α/β) subunits were isolated approximately 30 years ago and have since been the focus of extensive studies. As a result, many properties of GABAARs, including subunit assembly and channel and pharmacological properties, have been discovered. However, several of the underlying mechanisms such as the process for the synaptic localization of GABAARs remain unsolved. A reinvestigation of native GABAAR complexes in the brain and primary neurons identified two major molecular constituents, namely, the transmembrane GARLH/LHFPL protein family and the inhibitory synaptic protein neuroligin 2. This identification of the principal components of native receptor complexes may provide new mechanistic insight on receptor regulation.