Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid A Receptor Gamma 1 (gABRg1)

GABRG1 is a member of the GABA-A receptor gene family of heteromeric pentameric ligand-gated ion channels through which GABA, the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian brain, acts. GABA-A receptors are the site of action of a number of important pharmacologic agents including barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and ethanol.

GABRA1 gene was mapped using the chromosome 5 deletion hybrids and shown to be within the same region as the GABRG2 gene, 5q31.1-q33.2. By means of a PCR-based screening strategy, a 450-kb human genomic YAC clone containing both the GABRA1 and the GABRG2 genes was isolated. Pulsed field gel restriction mapping of this YAC indicated that the 2 genes are within 200 kb of each other.