Ligand Binding Mode of GABAA Receptor-Associated Protein

The γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor-associated protein is a versatile adaptor protein playing an important role in intracellular vesicle trafficking, particularly in neuronal cells. We present the X-ray structure of the soluble form of human GABAA receptor-associated protein complexed with a high-affinity synthetic peptide at 1.3 Å resolution. The data shed light on the probable binding modes of key interaction partners, including the GABAA receptor and the cysteine protease Atg4. The resulting models provide a structural background for further investigation of the unique biological properties of this protein.