Generating diversity at GABAergic synapses

Abstract

GABA-mediated transmission is characterized by high variability of synaptic responses. Major contributors to this variability are: presynaptic factors, including release probability and number of release sites; factors that determine synaptic GABA transients in the cleft, including diffusion and the actions of GABA transporters; and postsynaptic factors, including GABA(A) receptors subtypes, their location and number, their modulation by endogenous and exogenous factors, and their interactions with postsynaptic-anchoring proteins.