GABRA4

Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit alpha-4 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the GABRA4 gene.
GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian brain where it acts at GABA-A receptors, which are ligand-gated chloride channels. Chloride conductance of these channels can be modulated by agents such as benzodiazepines that bind to the GABA-A receptor. At least 16 distinct subunits of GABA-A receptors have been identified.

Research

A study in mice compared wild-type animals with those lacking the Gabra4 gene. Gabra4 knockout mice exhibited behavioral alterations relative to wild-type controls, including enhanced performance in spatial learning tasks and reduced social interaction, features that have been described as relevant to autism spectrum disorder–associated phenotypes in animal models. Transcriptomic analysis of hippocampal tissue from knockout mice identified altered gene expression consistent with increased activity of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor–related signaling pathways, which are involved in synaptic plasticity, learning, and neuronal excitability.