Probing the inhibitory neurosteroid binding site on the GABAA receptor (360G-Wellcome-099693_Z_12_A)

£14,903

Neurosteroids are naturally occurring potent modulators of type A GABA receptors in the brain. Although there are many neurosteroid metabolites, these can be characterised into two distinct classes - those that potentiate GABAA receptor function and those that inhibit. Previously we deduced where potentiating neurosteroids bind on the GABAA receptor, but the inhibitory neurosteroids remain unaffected if this site is disrupted. This concurs with the belief that such inhibitory neurosteroids bind to another discrete site onthe GABAA receptor. Its discovery will allow the function of the inhibitory neurosteroids to be explored in the brain. We will select a GABA receptor thatlacks sensitivity to inhibitory neurosteroids and use this structure in combination with GABAA receptor subunits to make chimeric and eventually pointmutated receptors to identify the inhibitory neurosteroid binding site. Once the site is found, we will disrupt its function and then observe the consequences for inhibitory synaptic and tonic inhibition. Overall, this studywill use structural, electrophysiological, imaging, pharmacological and molecular approaches with GABA receptors. This study will bring much need clarity to the role and importance of inhibitory neurosteroids in the brain.

Where is this data from?

This data was originally published by The Wellcome Trust. If you see something about your organisation or the funding it has received on this page that doesn't look right you can submit a grantee amendment request. You can hover over codes from standard codelists to see the user-friendly name provided by 360Giving.

Grant Details

Amount Awarded 14903
Applicant Surname Seljeset
Approval Committee PhD Studentships
Award Date 2014-01-17T00:00:00+00:00
Financial Year 2013/14
Grant Programme: Title PhD Studentship (Basic)
Internal ID 099693/Z/12/A
Lead Applicant Ms Sandra Seljeset
Partnership Value 14903
Planned Dates: End Date 2016-09-30T00:00:00+00:00
Planned Dates: Start Date 2014-02-01T00:00:00+00:00
Recipient Org: Country United Kingdom
Region Greater London
Sponsor(s) Prof David Attwell