page_title: Gamma-Aminobutyric acid
section_title: Beyond the nervous system
hierarchical_section_title: Gamma-Aminobutyric acid / Function / Beyond the nervous system
caption_attribution_description: Deutsch: Autoradiographie eines Gehirnschnittes eines Rattenembryos. Die Markierung erfolgte mit 35S-dATP (Desoxyadenosintriphosphat) conjugierten Oligonukleotid-Sequenzen, die selektiv an GAD67 (Glutamatdecarboxylase 67) binden. Die Bereiche mit hoher Radioaktivität (hohe Markerkonzentration) sind schwarz. Die ist insbesondere in der subventrikulären Zone (SVZ) der Fall. Der schwarze Maßstabsbalken entspricht einer Länge von 2 mm. English: Autoradiography of a brain slice, taken from an embryonal rat. Marker is a 35S-dATP conjugated oligo-nucleotide sequence, which binds to GAD67 (glutamate decarboxylase). High marker concentration (in black) is perferred at the subventricular zone (SVZ). Scale bar is 2 mm. See the original image. Français&#160;: Autoradiographie d'une tranche du cerveau d'un embryon de rat. Le marqueur est une séquence oligonucléotide conjuguée au 35S-dATP, qui se lie au GAD67 (glutamate decarboxylase). La haute concentration en marqueur (en noir) est localisée à la zone sous-ventriculaire. Ligne échelle 2mm. Voir l'image originale. Русский: Ауторадиография среза мозга, взятого у крысы на 1й день после рождения. Маркер: 35S-dATP коньюгированная олигонуклеотидная последовательность, которая связывается с глутаматдекарбоксилазой-67 (GAD67). Высокая концентрация наблюдается в субвентрикулярной зоне(SVZ)
context_page_description: gamma-Aminobutyric acid, or γ-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, is the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the developmentally mature mammalian central nervous system. Its principal role is reducing neuronal excitability throughout the nervous system. GABA is sold as a dietary supplement.
context_section_description: Besides the nervous system, GABA is also produced at relatively high levels in the insulin-producing β-cells of the pancreas. The β-cells secrete GABA along with insulin and the GABA binds to GABA receptors on the neighboring islet α-cells and inhibits them from secreting glucagon (which would counteract insulin's effects).
  GABA can promote the replication and survival of β-cells and also promote the conversion of α-cells to β-cells, which may lead to new treatments for diabetes.
  GABA has also been detected in other peripheral tissues including intestines, stomach, Fallopian tubes, uterus, ovaries, testes, kidneys, urinary bladder, the lungs and liver, albeit at much lower levels than in neurons or β-cells. GABAergic mechanisms have been demonstrated in various peripheral tissues and organs, which include the intestines, the stomach, the pancreas, the Fallopian tubes, the uterus, the ovaries, the testes, the kidneys, the urinary bladder, the lungs, and the liver.
  Experiments on mice have shown that hypothyroidism induced by fluoride poisoning can be halted by administering GABA. The test also found that the thyroid recovered naturally without further assistance after the Fluoride had been expelled by the GABA.
  Immune cells express receptors for GABA and administration of GABA can suppress inflammatory immune responses and promote "regulatory" immune responses, such that GABA administration has been shown to inhibit autoimmune diseases in several animal models.
  In 2018, GABA has shown to regulate secretion of a greater number of cytokines. In plasma of T1D patients, levels of 26 cytokines are increased and of those, 16 are inhibited by GABA in the cell assays.
  In 2007, an excitatory GABAergic system was described in the airway epithelium. The system is activated by exposure to allergens and may participate in the mechanisms of asthma. GABAergic systems have also been found in the testis and in the eye lens.
  GABA occurs in plants.
caption: mRNA expression of the embryonic variant of the GABA-producing enzyme GAD67 in a coronal brain section of a one-day-old Wistar rat, with the highest expression in subventricular zone (svz)[21]
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