Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026

Methods for the Discovery of Novel Compounds Modulating a Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Receptor Type A Neurotransmission
Published on: August 16, 2018
Ginsenoside Rg₃ regulates GABAA receptor channel activity: involvement of interaction with the γ₂ subunit
Byung-Hwan Lee1, Hyeon-Joong Kim, Leeyup Chung
1Ginsentology Research Laboratory and Department of Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Bio/Molecular Informatics Center, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Korea.
Abstract:
Ginseng exhibits beneficial effects on GABAA receptor-related anxiety and sleep disorders. However, little is known regarding the cellular and molecular bases of the ginseng action on GABAA receptor. The present study was performed to elucidate the molecular mechanism of the ginseng effect on GABAA receptor. The effect of ginsenoside Rg₃ (Rg₃), one of the active ingredients of ginseng, on γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor channel activity was examined in Xenopus oocytes using two-electrode voltage-clamp technique. Rg₃ itself evoked an inward current in Xenopus oocytes expressing GABAA receptor subunits (α₁β₁γ₂) and the Rg₃ itself-elicited inward current was only selective to γ₂ subunit expression ratio, since Rg₃ alone had no effects in oocytes expressing other subunits such as γ₁, γ₃, δ, or ε. Co-treatment of Rg₃ with GABA enhanced GABA receptor (α₁β₁γ₂)-mediated inward currents (IGABA) but Rg₃-mediated IGABA enhancement was independent on γ₂. Rg₃ itself-elicited inward current was blocked by GABAA receptor antagonist. The present results indicate that Rg₃-induced GABAA receptor activation via the γ₂ subunit and IGABA enhancement by Rg₃ might be one of the molecular bases of ginseng effects on GABAA receptor.
More Related Videos
07:51Inhibitory Synapse Formation in a Co-culture Model Incorporating GABAergic Medium Spiny Neurons and HEK293 Cells Stably Expressing GABAA Receptors
Published on: November 14, 2014
11:57Using an α-Bungarotoxin Binding Site Tag to Study GABA A Receptor Membrane Localization and Trafficking
Published on: March 28, 2014
Related Concept Videos
Activation and Inactivation of G Proteins
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
GPCRs Regulate Adenylyl Cylase Activity
Two...
G-Protein Gated Ion Channels
Sensory organs,...
GPCR Desensitization
G Protein-coupled Receptors
GPCRs are also called heptahelical, 7TM, or serpentine receptors, and consist of seven (H1-H7) transmembrane alpha-helices that span the bilayer to form a cylindrical core. The transmembrane helices are connected by three extracellular loops and three...