Constructing inhibitory synapses

Control of nerve-cell excitability is crucial for normal brain function. Tw o main groups of inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors - GABA(A) and glycin e receptors - fulfil a significant part of this role. To mediate fast synap tic inhibition effectively, these receptors need to be localized and affixe d opposite nerve terminals that release the appropriate neurotransmitter at multiple sites on postsynaptic neurons. But for this to occur, neurons req uire intracellular anchoring molecules, as well as mechanisms that ensure t he efficient turnover and transport of mature, functional inhibitory synapt ic receptor proteins. This review describes the dynamic regulation of synap tic GABA(A) and glycine receptors and discusses recent advances in this rap idly evolving field.