gbb-1 Antibody

Component of a heterodimeric G-protein coupled receptor for GABA, formed by gbb-1 and gbb-2. Within the heterodimeric GABA receptor, only gbb-1 seems to bind agonists, while gbb-2 mediates coupling to G proteins. Ligand binding causes a conformation change that triggers signaling via guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) and modulates the activity of down-stream effectors, such as adenylate cyclase. Signaling inhibits adenylate cyclase, stimulates phospholipase A2, activates potassium channels, inactivates voltage-dependent calcium-channels and modulates inositol phospholipid hydrolysis. Calcium is required for high affinity binding to GABA. Plays a critical role in the fine-tuning of inhibitory synaptic transmission. Pre-synaptic GABA receptor inhibits neurotransmitter release by down-regulating high-voltage activated calcium channels, whereas postsynaptic GABA receptor decreases neuronal excitability by activating a prominent inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) conductance that underlies the late inhibitory postsynaptic potentials. Along with gbb-2, may couple to the G(o) alpha G-protein goa-1 to negatively regulate cholinergic receptor activity in the presence of high levels of acetylcholine in ventral cord motor neurons. As acetylcholine depolarizes body wall muscles, modulation of acetylcholine levels most likely results in the control of locomotory behavior. Acts in neurons to regulate lifespan, and this may be through G-protein-egl-8/PLC-beta signaling to the transcription factor daf-16/FOXO.