Open-channel-block induced by the neurotransmitter glycine in homomeric alpha1-GlyR and heteromeric alpha1/beta1- GlyR

The strychnine-sensitive glycine receptor (GlyR) is a member of an ion channel superfamily which includes nicotinic acetylcholine, GABAA and serotonin (5-HT3) receptor channels. The highest density of expression is found in the brain stem and spinal cord. There is a high degree of sequence homology between the members of the superfamily, especially regarding the M2 domain i.e. the channel lining domain of the transmembraneous functional receptor channel protein. There are reports on a block of ligand gated ion channels by higher concentrations of the respective neurotransmitters. This could be a molecular mechan…