GABA-A Receptor Associated Protein (GABARAP)

Gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptors [GABA(A) receptors] are ligand-gated chloride channels that mediate inhibitory neurotransmission. This gene encodes GABA(A) receptor-associated protein, which is highly positively charged in its N-terminus and shares sequence similarity with light chain-3 of microtubule-associated proteins 1A and 1B. This protein clusters neurotransmitter receptors by mediating interaction with the cytoskeleton.

A study has screened 2000 participants representing more than 600 families of smokers and examined different genes showing linkage to nicotine addiction. Some of these showing linkage are the GABA-B receptor subunit 2 (GABAB2) gene on chromosome 9, and the GABARAP) gene on chromosome 17.