Exp Mol Med.  2015 Apr;47(4):e158. 10.1038/emm.2015.5.

Gephyrin: a central GABAergic synapse organizer

• Choii G
• Ko J

• KMID: 2070277
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1038/emm.2015.5

Abstract

Gephyrin is a central element that anchors, clusters and stabilizes glycine and gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptors at inhibitory synapses of the mammalian brain. It self-assembles into a hexagonal lattice and interacts with various inhibitory synaptic proteins. Intriguingly, the clustering of gephyrin, which is regulated by multiple posttranslational modifications, is critical for inhibitory synapse formation and function. In this review, we summarize the basic properties of gephyrin and describe recent findings regarding its roles in inhibitory synapse formation, function and plasticity. We will also discuss the implications for the pathophysiology of brain disorders and raise the remaining open questions in this field.

MeSH Terms

Animals
Carrier Proteins/chemistry/genetics/*metabolism
Disease Susceptibility
GABAergic Neurons/*metabolism
Gene Expression Regulation
Humans
Membrane Proteins/chemistry/genetics/*metabolism
Protein Binding
Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs
Protein Processing, Post-Translational
Protein Transport
Synapses/*metabolism
Carrier Proteins
Membrane Proteins