Dynamic regulation of GABAA receptors at synaptic sites

γ-Aminobutyric acid type A receptors (GABA_ARs) mediate fast synaptic inhibition in brain and spinal cord. They are ligand-gated ion channels composed of numerous distinct subunit combinations. For efficient synaptic transmission, GABA_ARs need to be localized to and anchored at postsynaptic sites in precise apposition to presynaptic nerve terminals that release the neurotransmitter GABA. Neurons therefore require distinct mechanisms to regulate intracellular vesicular protein traffic, plasma membrane insertion, synaptic clustering and turnover of GABA_ARs. The GABA_A receptor-associated protein GABARAP interacts with the γ2 subunit of GABA_ARs and displays high homology to proteins involved in membrane fusion underlying Golgi transport and autophagic processes. The binding of GABARAP with NSF, microtubules and gephyrin together with its localization at intracellular membranes suggests a role in GABA_AR targeting and/or degradation. Growth factor tyrosine kinase receptor activation is involved in the control of GABA_AR levels at the plasma membrane. In particular insulin recruits GABA_ARs to the cell surface. Furthermore, the regulation of GABA_AR surface half-life can also be the consequence of negative modulation at the proteasome level. Plic-1, a ubiquitin-like protein binds to both the proteasome and GABA_ARs and the Plic1-GABA_AR interaction is important for the maintenance of GABA-activated current amplitudes. At synaptic sites, GABA_ARs are clustered via gephyrin-dependent and gephyrin-independent mechanisms and may subsequently become internalized via clathrin-mediated endocytosis underlying receptor recycling or degradation processes. This article discusses these recent data in the field of GABA_AR dynamics.