GABA_A Receptor β₁ Subunit Polyclonal Antibody

GABA_A receptors are ligand-gated chloride channels that mediate the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA in the CNS.^1,2 They are postsynaptic heteropentameric receptors that contain protein subunits from the following isoforms: α_1-6, β_1-4, γ_1-3, δ, ε, π, θ, and ρ_1-3, arranged around a central pore. Phasic inhibitory synaptic transmission is regulated by α₁β₂γ₂ subunit-containing GABA_A receptors, the major isoform found in the brain.^2,3 The β subunit of GABA_A receptors interfaces with an α subunit to form the GABA binding site that initiates GABA-induced action potentials and forms the benzodiazepine binding site with the γ subunit. Phosphorylation of the β₁ subunit by PKA or PKC inhibits binding of the β₁ subunit with the clathrin adaptor protein AP2 and reduces GABA_A receptor endocytosis.⁴ Mice expressing mutations in Gabrb1, which encodes the β₁ subunit isoform, have increased GABA_A receptor-mediated tonic inhibition in the nucleus accumbens and increased alcohol consumption compared to wild-type mice.⁵ SNPs in GABRB1 are associated with increased impulsivity and reward sensitivity in human adolescents.⁶ Cayman's GABA_A Receptor β₁ Polyclonal Antibody can be used for Western blot (WB) applications. The antibody recognizes the GABA_A receptor β₁ subunit at approximately 55 kDa from mouse and rat samples.

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1. Crestani, F., and Rudolph, U. Behavioral functions of GABA_A receptor subtypes - the Zurich experience. Diversity and Functions of GABA receptors: A tribute to Hanns Möhler, part A 37-51 (2015).

2. Hirose, S. Mutant GABA_A receptor subunits in genetic (idiopathic) epilepsy. Genetics of epilepsy 55-85 (2014).

3. Wongsamitkul, N., Maldifassi, M.C., Simeone, X., et al. α subunits in GABA_A receptors are dispensable for GABA and diazepam action. Sci. Rep. 7(1), 15498 (2017).

4. Vithlani, M., Moss, S.J., and Terunuma, M. The dynamic modulation of GABA_A receptor trafficking and its role in the formation of inhibitory synapses. Physiol. Rev. 91(3), 1009-1022 (2011).

5. Anstee, Q.M., Knapp, S., Maguire, E.P., et al. Mutations in the GABRB1 gene promote alcohol consumption through increased tonic inhibition. Nat. Commun. 4, 2816 (2013).

6. Duka, T., Nikolaou, K., King, S.L., et al. GABRB1 single nucleotide polymorphism associated with altered brain responses (but not performance) during measures of impulsivity and reward senditivity in human adolescents. Front. Behav. Neurosci. 11(24), (2017).