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Mechanisms of inhibition and activation of extrasynaptic αβ GABAA receptors.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Kasaragod, Vikram Babu 
Dorovykh, Valentina 

Abstract

Type A GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) receptors represent a diverse population in the mammalian brain, forming pentamers from combinations of α-, β-, γ-, δ-, ε-, ρ-, θ- and π-subunits1. αβ, α4βδ, α6βδ and α5βγ receptors favour extrasynaptic localization, and mediate an essential persistent (tonic) inhibitory conductance in many regions of the mammalian brain1,2. Mutations of these receptors in humans are linked to epilepsy and insomnia3,4. Altered extrasynaptic receptor function is implicated in insomnia, stroke and Angelman and Fragile X syndromes1,5, and drugs targeting these receptors are used to treat postpartum depression6. Tonic GABAergic responses are moderated to avoid excessive suppression of neuronal communication, and can exhibit high sensitivity to Zn2+ blockade, in contrast to synapse-preferring α1βγ, α2βγ and α3βγ receptor responses5,7-12. Here, to resolve these distinctive features, we determined structures of the predominantly extrasynaptic αβ GABAA receptor class. An inhibited state bound by both the lethal paralysing agent α-cobratoxin13 and Zn2+ was used in comparisons with GABA-Zn2+ and GABA-bound structures. Zn2+ nullifies the GABA response by non-competitively plugging the extracellular end of the pore to block chloride conductance. In the absence of Zn2+, the GABA signalling response initially follows the canonical route until it reaches the pore. In contrast to synaptic GABAA receptors, expansion of the midway pore activation gate is limited and it remains closed, reflecting the intrinsic low efficacy that characterizes the extrasynaptic receptor. Overall, this study explains distinct traits adopted by αβ receptors that adapt them to a role in tonic signalling.

Description

Keywords

Article, /631/378/2586, /631/378/340, /631/535/1258/1259, /9/74, /13/1, /13/106, /13/109, /82/80, /82/83, /101/28, article

Journal Title

Nature

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0028-0836
1476-4687

Volume Title

602

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Sponsorship
Academy of Medical Sciences (SBF004\1074)
Wellcome Trust (202905/Z/16/Z)
Wellcome Trust (206171/Z/17/Z)
This work was supported by a Department of Pharmacology new lab start-up fund, the University of Cambridge Isaac Newton & Wellcome Trust Institutional Strategic Support Fund, and Academy of Medical Sciences Springboard Award (SBF004\1074). Electrophysiology work in the laboratory of Professor Trevor Smart was funded by an MRC programme grant (MR/T002581/1) and Wellcome Trust Collaborative Award (217199/Z/19/Z). The cryo-EM facility receives funding from the Wellcome Trust (206171/Z/17/Z; 202905/Z/16/Z) and University of Cambridge.