Introduction

Figure 1.
Animation of glycine-bound GlyR

Hello fellow science enthusiasts! Today, we will be discussing the strychnine-sensitive glycine receptor (GlyR). This wonderful molecule is an ionotropic Ionotropic receptors form an ion channel pore receptor that is responsible for chloride current control during inhibitory synaptic transmission, predominantly in the spinal cord and brainstem. The receptor’s primary neurotransmitter is glycine – once bound, glycine stabilizes the receptor in an open state. This neuronal firing in the CNS is responsible for complex, everyday neuronal functions such as audition and vision^[1]. Reduced GlyR function is associated with decreased chloride transport – the primary cause of hyperekplexia, a rare neurological condition that you would not like to have! Electron cryo-microsopy, a phenomenal new high-resolution structural determination system, has been used to elucidate the mechanism of the glycine receptor. Structural imaging of the receptor bound to agonist glycine, antagonist strychnine and allosteric regulator ivermectin were analysed to show the process of synaptic regulation.