Building new function into glycine receptors: A structural model for the activation of the glycine-gated chloride channel

1, The glycine receptor chloride channel mediates inhibitory neurotransmiss ion and is a member of the ligand-gated ion channel superfamilyl which incl udes the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor channel. 2, Activation of these channels involves a movement of the pore-lining seco nd membrane-spanning domain with respect to the remainder of the protein. 3, The present review considers the evidence that the loops that connect th is domain with the rest of the protein act as crucial components of the cha nnel activation mechanism.