Download MendeleyResolving native GABA A receptor structures from the human brain.
Zhou, J., Noviello, C.M., Teng, J., Moore, H., Lega, B., Hibbs, R.E.(2025) Nature
- PubMed: 39843743
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-08454-1
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
9CRS, 9CRV, 9CSB, 9CT0, 9CTJ, 9CTP, 9CTV, 9CX7, 9CXA, 9CXB, 9CXC, 9CXD, 9DRX - PubMed Abstract:
Type A GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) receptors (GABA A receptors) mediate most fast inhibitory signalling in the brain and are targets for drugs that treat epilepsy, anxiety, depression and insomnia and for anaesthetics 1,2 . These receptors comprise a complex array of 19 related subunits, which form pentameric ligand-gated ion channels. The composition and structure of native GABA A receptors in the human brain have been inferred from subunit localization in tissue 1,3 , functional measurements and structural analysis from recombinant expression 4-7 and in mice 8 . However, the arrangements of subunits that co-assemble physiologically in native human GABA A receptors remain unknown. Here we isolated α1 subunit-containing GABA A receptors from human patients with epilepsy. Using cryo-electron microscopy, we defined a set of 12 native subunit assemblies and their 3D structures. We address inconsistencies between previous native and recombinant approaches, and reveal details of previously undefined subunit interfaces. Drug-like densities in a subset of these interfaces led us to uncover unexpected activity on the GABA A receptor of antiepileptic drugs and resulted in localization of one of these drugs to the benzodiazepine-binding site. Proteomics and further structural analysis suggest interactions with the auxiliary subunits neuroligin 2 and GARLH4, which localize and modulate GABA A receptors at inhibitory synapses. This work provides a structural foundation for understanding GABA A receptor signalling and targeted pharmacology in the human brain.
Organizational Affiliation:
Department of Neurobiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
