Structural basis of neurosteroid anesthetic action on GABAA receptors

Abstract

The anesthetic alphaxalone binds γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors (GABAARs) that play an important role in regulating sensory processes. Here the authors present the structures of a α1GABAAR chimera in the resting state and in an alphaxalone-bound desensitized state, which might facilitate the development of new GABAAR modulators.