Structural Studies of the Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Receptor

γ -氨基丁酸受体（GABA受体）是一种蛋白质，通过调节神经细胞膜上离子的运动和控制神经细胞的兴奋性，帮助调节大脑和脊髓神经细胞之间的通讯。要了解这种受体是如何起作用的，就必须知道它的三维结构。这可以通过使用电子显微镜来确定，以了解结合形成GABA受体结构的亚基的数量，并应该为我们提供GABA受体如何能够调节神经元通信的额外见解。此外，利用化学标记方法确定苯二氮卓类药物和GABA结合的GABA受体上的位点，将有助于了解该受体在神经系统功能和行为中的功能。

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.