GABRA5

Alpha subunit of the heteropentameric ligand-gated chloride channel gated by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. GABA-gated chloride channels, also named GABA(A) receptors (GABAAR), consist of five subunits arranged around a central pore and contain GABA active binding site(s) located at the alpha and beta subunit interface(s). When activated by GABA, GABAARs selectively allow the flow of chloride anions across the cell membrane down their electrochemical gradient. GABAARs containing alpha-5/GABRA5 subunits are mainly extrasynaptic and contribute to the tonic GABAergic inhibition in the hippocampus (By similarity). Extrasynaptic alpha-5-containing GABAARs in CA1 pyramidal neurons play a role in learning and memory processes (By similarity)..

Function from UniProtKB (P31644), read 2026-09-23. CC BY 4.0.