GABA Transporters and GABA-Transaminase as Drug Targets

Abstract

The fine-tuning and homeostatic balance of the GABAergic inhibitory tone in the central nervous system (CNS) is a prerequisite for controlling the excitatory neurotransmission. This principal mechanism for controlling excitation is inhibition which has been the topic of intensive research covering all known functional entities of the GABAergic synapse. The therapeutical scope for targeting the GABA system covers a large number of neurological and psychiatric disorders. This review focuses on the major inactivation systems for GABAergic neurotransmission, the GABA transporters (GATs) and the GABA catabolic enzyme GABA -transaminase (GABA-T) as drug targets. Tiagabin and Vigabatrin, two anti-epileptic drugs on the market today, specifically inhibit GABA transport and metabolism, respectively. However, previous and recent evidence has clearly demonstrated the importance and differential functional roles of glial and neuronal GABA uptake and the metabolic fate of the sequestered neurotransmitter GABA in these cells. Moreover, the diverse expression patterns of the GABA transporters, in combination with development of GAT inhibitors with novel pharmacological profiles may initiate a renaissance for these inactivation systems as drugs targets. In particular, further research to elucidate the specialized physiological function of the GATs combined with their differential spatial expression could be of fundamental importance for the understanding of concerted action with regard to the fine-tuning of the GABAergic inhibitory tone. As such, selective targeting and modulation of GABA transporter subtypes and cell-specific GABA uptake and metabolism is of therapeutical interest in GABA-related CNS disorders, including epilepsy.

Seizures in a pediatric patient with a tiagabine overdose

“…GABA is actively taken up by neuron and astrocyte carrier proteins (including GAT1, GAT4 and BGT-1) and broken down into succinic acid semialdehyde by glutamic acid decarboxylase or repackaged into a vesicle that is released again at the next synaptic transmission [5]. TGB mainly acts by inhibiting GABA reuptake through its action on GAT1 and GAT3 carrier proteins.…”

Neurochemical Characterization of a Neuroprotective Compound fromParawixia bistriataSpider Venom That Inhibits Synaptosomal Uptake of GABA and Glycine

“…Up to now, the existence of four subtypes of GABA transporters has been postulated. The nomenclature of these proteins is not clear, varying according to the species from which they were cloned: mice, rats, and humans (Sarup et al, 2003).…”

First Demonstration of a Functional Role for Central Nervous System Betaine/γ-Aminobutyric Acid Transporter (mGAT2) Based on Synergistic Anticonvulsant Action among Inhibitors of mGAT1 and mGAT2

“…Furthermore, in a GABA release study conducted in neocortical neurons, EF1502 did not act as a substrate for the GABA carrier. Collectively, these findings support a functional role for mGAT2 in the control of neuronal excitability and suggest a possible utility for mGAT2-selective inhibitors in the treatment of epilepsy.Reduction of GABA-mediated inhibitory neurotransmission is associated with seizure activity and drugs that elevate synaptic GABA levels either by inhibition of GABA degradation or inhibition of high-affinity transport have been demonstrated to possess anticonvulsant activity (see Dalby, 2003;Sarup et al, 2003). For example, the GABA-transaminase inhibitor vigabatrin and the GABA-transport inhibitor tiagabine [(R)-N-[4,4-bis(3-methyl-2-thienyl)-3-butenyl]nipecotic acid] are clinically effective antiepileptic drugs (for review and references, see Ben-Menachem, 2002;Kalviainen, 2002).…”