GLRA3 (Glycine Receptor Alpha 3) encodes the alpha-3 subunit of the glycine receptor (GlyR), a ligand-gated chloride channel. While less studied than other GlyR subunits, GLRA3 plays important roles in pain processing, visual system function, and immune modulation.
| Property |
Value |
| Gene Symbol |
GLRA3 |
| Full Name |
Glycine Receptor Alpha 3 |
| Chromosome |
4q34.3 |
| NCBI Gene ID |
8001 |
| Ensembl ID |
ENSG00000132518 |
| UniProt ID |
P47869 |
| Protein Name |
Glycine receptor alpha-3 subunit |
| Associated Diseases |
Inflammatory pain, epilepsy, visual disorders |
GLRA3 encodes a distinct alpha subunit of the glycine receptor:
- Subunit composition: Can form homomeric or heteromeric channels with other alpha subunits
- Pharmacological profile: Distinct agonist/antagonist sensitivity from alpha-1/2
- Developmental expression: Present throughout development
- Regional distribution: Highest in spinal cord dorsal horn and retina
GLRA3 plays a specialized role in pain signaling:
- Nociception: Located in spinal cord dorsal horn, processes pain signals
- Inflammatory pain: GLRA3-mediated currents enhanced in inflammatory states
- Morphine response: GlyR alpha-3 involved in opioid analgesia
- Chronic pain: Dysregulation contributes to chronic pain states
- Retinal expression: GLRA3 expressed in retinal neurons
- Signal processing: Contributes to glycinergic inhibition in visual pathways
- Function: May play role in visual processing and light adaptation
- Inflammatory pain: GLRA3 variants associated with pain susceptibility
- Neuropathic pain: Altered expression in nerve injury models
- Therapeutic target: Selective GLRA3 modulators for pain relief
- GLRA3 variants: Associated with epileptic phenotypes
- Inhibitory dysfunction: Loss of function leads to hyperexcitability
- Stiff-person syndrome: Antibodies against gephyrin affect GlyR function
- Neuromuscular effects: GLRA3 involvement in autoimmune glycine receptor disorders
GLRA3 shows distinct expression patterns:
- High expression: Spinal cord dorsal horn, retina, superior colliculus
- Moderate expression: Brainstem, thalamus
- Cellular localization: Neuronal postsynaptic membranes
- Specific circuits: Pain-processing neurons in lamina II of dorsal horn
| Interactor |
Type |
Function |
| GLRB |
Subunit |
Beta subunit |
| Gephyrin |
Scaffold |
Postsynaptic anchoring |
| Glycine |
Ligand |
Endogenous agonist |
| Taurine |
Agonist |
Alternate agonist |
- Target validation: GLRA3 as pain therapeutic target
- Selective modulators: Development of GLRA3-selective compounds
- Combination therapy: Glycinergic agents with existing analgesics
- Gene therapy: Viral delivery of GLRA3
- Biomarkers: GLRA3 expression as pain biomarker
- Drug discovery: High-throughput screening for GLRA3 modulators