GABRA5

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) A receptor, alpha 5, also known as GABRA5, is a is_associated_with::protein which in humans is encoded by the GABRA5 is_associated_with::gene.

Function
GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian brain where it acts at GABAA receptors, which are ligand-gated is_associated_with::chloride channels. Chloride conductance of these channels can be modulated by agents such as is_associated_with::benzodiazepines that bind to the GABAA receptor. At least 16 distinct subunits of GABAA receptors have been identified. Transcript variants utilizing three different alternative non-coding first is_associated_with::exons have been described.

Subunit selective ligands
Recent research has produced several ligands which are moderately selective for GABAA receptors containing the α5 subunit. These have proved to be useful in investigating some of the side effects of benzodiazepine and nonbenzodiazepine drugs, particularly the effects on learning and memory such as is_associated_with::anterograde amnesia. Inverse agonists at this subunit have is_associated_with::nootropic effects and may be useful for the treatment of cognitive disorders such as is_associated_with::Alzheimer's disease.

Agonists

 * is_associated_with::QH-ii-066
 * is_associated_with::SH-053-R-CH3-2′F

Inverse agonists

 * α5IA
 * is_associated_with::Basmisanil (RG-1662, RO5186582): derivative of Ro4938581, negative allosteric modulator at GABAA α5, in human trials for treating cognitive deficit in is_associated_with::Down syndrome.
 * is_associated_with::L-655,708
 * is_associated_with::MRK-016
 * is_associated_with::PWZ-029: moderate inverse agonist
 * is_associated_with::Pyridazines
 * is_associated_with::Ro4938581
 * is_associated_with::TB-21007