mRNA and Protein Levels for GABAAα4, α5, β1 and GABABR1 Receptors are Altered in Brains from Subjects with Autism

We have shown altered expression of gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABA(A)) and gamma-aminobutyric acid B (GABA(B)) receptors in the brains of subjects with autism. In the current study, we sought to verify our western blotting data for GABBR1 via qRT-PCR and to expand our previous work to measure mRNA and protein levels of 3 GABA(A) subunits previously associated with autism (GABR alpha 4; GABR alpha 5; GABR beta 1). Three GABA receptor subunits demonstrated mRNA and protein level concordance in superior frontal cortex (GABR alpha 4, GABR alpha 5, GABR beta 1) and one demonstrated concordance in cerebellum (GABI'R1). These results provide further evidence of impairment of GABAergic signaling in autism.