[Response kinetics of GABA receptors and their functional significance]

It is an important issue whether and how the response kinetics, including activation, desensitization and deactivation, of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors plays roles in rapid inhibitory postsynaptic transmission. With the development of molecular biology, and the use of patch clamp techniques and rapid solution changers, the structural basis, underlying mechanisms at single channel level and functional roles of the characteristics of GABA receptors have been fully explored. It is revealed that the response kinetics of GABA receptors plays a crucial role in modulating inhibitory postsynaptic currents and has a great importance for rapid inhibitory synaptic transmission.