Anti-GLRA1

The protein encoded by this gene is a subunit of a pentameric inhibitory glycine receptor. The receptor mediates postsynaptic inhibition in the central nervous system. Defects in this gene are a cause of startle disease (STHE), also known as hereditary hyperekplexia or congenital stiff-person syndrome. Two transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. Protein function: Glycine receptors are ligand-gated chloride channels (PubMed:23994010, PubMed:25730860). Channel opening is triggered by extracellular glycine (PubMed:2155780, PubMed:7920629, PubMed:14551753, PubMed:16144831, PubMed:22715885, PubMed:22973015, PubMed:25973519, PubMed:9009272). Channel opening is also triggered by taurine and beta-alanine (PubMed:16144831, PubMed:9009272). Channel characteristics depend on the subunit composition, heteropentameric channels are activated by lower glycine levels and display faster desensitization (PubMed:14551753). Plays an important role in the down-regulation of neuronal excitability (PubMed:8298642, PubMed:9009272). Contributes to the generation of inhibitory postsynaptic currents (PubMed:25445488). Channel activity is potentiated by ethanol (PubMed:25973519). Potentiation of channel activity by intoxicating levels of ethanol contribute to the sedative effects of ethanol. [The UniProt Consortium]