Unravelling biological roles and mechanisms of GABABR on addiction and depression through mood and memory disorders

The metabotropic gamma-aminobutyric acid type B receptor (GABA(B)R) remains a hotspot in the recent research area. Being an idiosyncratic G-protein coupled receptor family member, the GABA(B)R manifests adaptively tailored functionality under multifarious modulations by a constellation of agents, pointing to cross-talk between receptors and effectors that converge on the domains of mood and memory. This review systematically summarizes the latest achievements in signal transduction mechanisms of the GABA(B)R-effector-regulator complex and probes how the up-and down-regulation of membrane-delimited GABA(B)Rs are associated with manifold intrinsic and extrinsic agents in synaptic strength and plasticity. Neuropsychiatric conditions depression and addiction share the similar pathophysiology of synapse inadaptability underlying negative mood-related processes, memory formations, and impairments. In the attempt to emphasize all convergent discoveries, we hope the insights gained on the GABA(B)R system mechanisms of action are conducive to designing more therapeutic candidates so as to refine the prognosis rate of diseases and minimize side effects.