Advances in the molecular understanding of GABA(B) receptors

The molecular nature of the metabotropic GABA, receptor was for some time a mystery, however it was recently discovered that two related G-protein-cou pled receptors have to heterodimerize to form the functional GABA, receptor at the cell surface. This review discusses the most recent findings in the rapidly expanding field of GABA, receptor research, and includes a summary of all splice variants of both receptor subunits identified to date. It al so evaluates emerging evidence that certain splice variants might play a ro le in determining pharmacologically distinguishable receptors, and reviews receptor localization at the sub-cellular level and involvement in neuronal development.