Pre- and post-synaptic mechanisms regulating the clustering of type A γ-aminobutyric acid receptors (GABAA receptors)

J. M. Fritschy, C. Schweizer, I. Brünig, B. Lüscher

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

42 Scopus citations

Abstract

Postsynaptic clustering of GABAA (type A γ-aminobutyric acid) receptors is essential to ensure proper function of GABAergic synapses. This process is initiated during synapse formation and is maintained throughout life. The tubulin-associated protein gephyrin is required for clustering of GABAA receptors, but its specific role in this process is not understood. A second protein associated selectively with GABAA receptors at postsynaptic sites is dystrophin. It is present in a subset of GABAergic synapses along with several partners, forming the dystrophin-associated protein complex. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the role of neuronal activity and trans-synaptic signaling for the clustering of gephyrin and dystrophin during synaptogenesis and on the role of these proteins for plasticity and maintenance of mature synapses.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)889-892
Number of pages4
JournalBiochemical Society transactions
Volume31
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2003

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Biochemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Pre- and post-synaptic mechanisms regulating the clustering of type A γ-aminobutyric acid receptors (GABAA receptors)'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this