GABARAP

Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor-associated protein is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the GABARAP is_associated_with::gene.

Function
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 is_associated_with::nicotine addiction. Some of these showing linkage are the GABA-B receptor subunit 2 (is_associated_with::GABAB2) gene on chromosome 9, and the GABA-A receptor-associated protein (GABARAP) gene on chromosome 17.

Moreover, GABARAP has a important function in autophagosome mediated autophagy, since it is crucial for autophagosome formation and sequestration of cytosolic cargo into double-membrane vesicles, leading to subsequent degradation after fusion with lysosomes. In addition, GABARAP can mediated selective autophagy because it binds to so-called autophagic receptors (e.g. p62, NBr1), which bind and recruit specific cargo.

Interactions
GABARAP has been shown to interact with is_associated_with::TFRC, is_associated_with::ULK1 and is_associated_with::GABRG2.