Cloning and expression of a rat brain GABA transporter

Science. 1990 Sep 14;249(4974):1303-6. doi: 10.1126/science.1975955.

Abstract

A complementary DNA clone (designated GAT-1) encoding a transporter for the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) has been isolated from rat brain, and its functional properties have been examined in Xenopus oocytes. Oocytes injected with GAT-1 synthetic messenger RNA accumulated [3H]GABA to levels above control values. The transporter encoded by GAT-1 has a high affinity for GABA, is sodium-and chloride-dependent, and is pharmacologically similar to neuronal GABA transporters. The GAT-1 protein shares antigenic determinants with a native rat brain GABA transporter. The nucleotide sequence of GAT-1 predicts a protein of 599 amino acids with a molecular weight of 67 kilodaltons. Hydropathy analysis of the deduced protein suggests multiple transmembrane regions, a feature shared by several cloned transporters; however, database searches indicate that GAT-1 is not homologous to any previously identified proteins. Therefore, GAT-1 appears to be a member of a previously uncharacterized family of transport molecules.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Carrier Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics*
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Chlorine / physiology
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • GABA Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Gene Expression
  • Membrane Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics*
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Membrane Transport Proteins*
  • Microinjections
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Oocytes / metabolism
  • Organic Anion Transporters*
  • Poly A / analysis
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • Rats
  • Sodium / physiology
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Xenopus
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / metabolism*

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • GABA Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Organic Anion Transporters
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Slc6a1 protein, rat
  • Poly A
  • Chlorine
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Sodium

Associated data

  • GENBANK/M33003