Structural Studies of the Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Receptor

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The gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor (GABA receptor) is a protein which helps regulate communications between nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord by regulating the movement of ions across the nerve cell membranes and controlling excitability of nerve cells. To understand how this receptor functions it is essential to know its three-dimensional structure. This can be determined with the use of the electron microscope to learn the number of subunits which combine to form the GABA receptor structure and should give us additional insights into how the GABA receptor is able to regulate neuronal communication. Also, identifying the sites on the GABA receptor where benzodiazepines and GABA bind, using chemical labeling methods, will lead to an understanding of the function of the receptor in nervous system function and behavior.