GABRB2

Source: NCBI Gene, accessed 2026-10-07.

Protein

Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit beta-2

Function (excerpt)

Beta subunit of the heteropentameric ligand-gated chloride channel gated by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. GABA-gated chloride channels, also named GABA(A) receptors (GABAAR), consist of five subunits arranged around a central pore and contain GABA active binding site(s) located at the alpha and beta subunit interface(s). When activated by GABA, GABAARs selectively allow the flow of chloride anions across the cell membrane down their electrochemical gradient (By similarity). Chloride influx into the postsynaptic neuron following GABAAR opening decreases the neuron ability to generate a new action potential, thereby reducing nerve transmission (By similarity). GABAARs containing alpha-1 and beta-2 or -3 subunits exhibit synaptogenic activity; the gamma-2 subunit being necessary but not sufficient to induce rapid synaptic contacts formation. Extrasynaptic beta-2 receptors contribute to the tonic GABAergic inhibition (By similarity).

Subcellular location

Postsynaptic cell membrane; Cell membrane; Cytoplasmic vesicle membrane.

Tissue specificity

Isoform 1 and isoform 2 show reduced expression in schizophrenic brain. Isoform 3 shows increased expression in schizophrenic and bipolar disorder brains while isoform 4 shows reduced expression.

Associated conditions

Epileptic encephalopathy, infantile or early childhood, 2 (IECEE2).

Source: UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot P47870, release 2026_03, licensed CC BY 4.0. This is the protein’s normal biology, not evidence about post-drug syndromes; associated conditions are inherited disorders of the gene, not PFS, PSSD or PRSD.

Written for the whole neurotransmission family, not for GABRB2 specifically.