In pharmacology, a GABA transaminase inhibitor is an enzyme inhibitor that acts upon GABA transaminase.[1]
Inhibition of GABA transaminase enzymes reduces the degradation of GABA, leading to increased neuronal GABA concentrations.
Examples include valproic acid,[2] vigabatrin,[3][4] phenylethylidenehydrazine (and drugs that metabolize to it, such as phenelzine[5]), ethanolamine-O-sulfate (EOS), and L-cycloserine.[6]
Certain members of this class are used as anticonvulsants.
References
- ^ Ciesielski, L.; Simler, S.; Gensburger, C.; Mandel, P.; Taillandier, G.; Benoit-Guyod, J. L.; Boucherle, A.; Cohen-Addad, C.; Lajzerowicz, J. (1979). "GABA Transaminase Inhibitors". GABA—Biochemistry and CNS Functions. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. Vol. 123. pp. 21–41. doi:10.1007/978-1-4899-5199-1_2 (inactive 17 July 2025). ISBN 978-1-4899-5201-1. PMID 390993.{{cite book}}:  CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of July 2025 (link)
- ^ Bruni, J.; Wilder, B. J. (1979). "Valproic acid. Review of a new antiepileptic drug". Archives of Neurology. 36 (7): 393–398. doi:10.1001/archneur.1979.00500430023002. PMID 110294.
- ^ Wang QP, Jammoul F, Duboc A, et al. (April 2008). "Treatment of epilepsy: the GABA-transaminase inhibitor, vigabatrin, induces neuronal plasticity in the mouse retina". Eur. J. Neurosci. 27 (8): 2177–87. doi:10.1111/j.1460-9568.2008.06175.x. PMC 2933832. PMID 18412635.
- ^ Gibson, J. P.; Yarrington, J. T.; Loudy, D. E.; Gerbig, C. G.; Hurst, G. H.; Newberne, J. W. (1990). "Chronic toxicity studies with vigabatrin, a GABA-transaminase inhibitor". Toxicologic Pathology. 18 (2): 225–238. doi:10.1177/019262339001800201. PMID 2399411.
- ^ McKenna, K. F.; McManus, D. J.; Baker, G. B.; Coutts, R. T. (1994). "Chronic administration of the antidepressant phenelzine and its N-acetyl analogue: Effects on GABAergic function". Amine Oxidases: Function and Dysfunction. Vol. 41. pp. 115–122. doi:10.1007/978-3-7091-9324-2_15. ISBN 978-3-211-82521-1. ISSN 0303-6995. PMID 7931216. 
- ^ Polc, P.; Pieri, L.; Bonetti, E. P.; Scherschlicht, R.; Moehler, H.; Kettler, R.; Burkard, W.; Haefely, W. (1986). "L-cycloserine: Behavioural and biochemical effects after single and repeated administration to mice, rats and cats". Neuropharmacology. 25 (4): 411–418. doi:10.1016/0028-3908(86)90236-4. PMID 3012401. S2CID 462885.
 
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| Ionotropic | | GABAATooltip γ-Aminobutyric acid A receptor | 
Positive modulators (abridged; see here for a full list): α-EMTBLAlcohols (e.g., drinking alcohol, 2M2B)Anabolic steroidsAvermectins (e.g., ivermectin)Barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital)Benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam)Bromide compounds (e.g., potassium bromide)Carbamates (e.g., meprobamate)CarbamazepineChloraloseChlormezanoneClomethiazoleDihydroergolines (e.g., ergoloid (dihydroergotoxine))EtazepineEtifoxineFenamates (e.g., mefenamic acid)Flavonoids (e.g., apigenin, hispidulin)FluoxetineFlupirtineImidazoles (e.g., etomidate)Kava constituents (e.g., kavain)LanthanumLoreclezoleMonastrolNeuroactive steroids (e.g., allopregnanolone, cholesterol, THDOC)NiacinNiacinamideNonbenzodiazepines (e.g., β-carbolines (e.g., abecarnil), cyclopyrrolones (e.g., zopiclone), imidazopyridines (e.g., zolpidem), pyrazolopyrimidines (e.g., zaleplon))NorfluoxetinePetrichloralPhenols (e.g., propofol)PhenytoinPiperidinediones (e.g., glutethimide)PropanididPyrazolopyridines (e.g., etazolate)Quinazolinones (e.g., methaqualone)Retigabine (ezogabine)ROD-188Skullcap constituents (e.g., baicalin)StiripentolSulfonylalkanes (e.g., sulfonmethane (sulfonal))TopiramateValerian constituents (e.g., valerenic acid)Volatiles/gases (e.g., chloral hydrate, chloroform, diethyl ether, paraldehyde, sevoflurane)
 Negative modulators: 1,3M1B3M2B11-Ketoprogesterone17-Phenylandrostenolα3IAα5IA (LS-193,268)β-CCBβ-CCEβ-CCMβ-CCPβ-EMGBLAnabolic steroidsAmilorideAnisatinβ-Lactams (e.g., penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems)BasmisanilBemegrideBicyclic phosphates (TBPS, TBPO, IPTBO)BIDNBilobalideBupropionCHEBChlorophenylsilatraneCicutoxinCloflubicyneCyclothiazideDHEADHEA-SDieldrin(+)-DMBBDMCMDMPCEBOBEtbicyphatFG-7142 (ZK-31906)Fiproles (e.g., fipronil)Flavonoids (e.g., amentoflavone, oroxylin A)FlumazenilFluoroquinolones (e.g., ciprofloxacin)FlurothylFurosemideGolexanoloneIomazenil (123I)IPTBOIsopregnanolone (sepranolone)L-655,708LaudanosineLindaneMaxiPostMorphineMorphine-3-glucuronideMRK-016NaloxoneNaltrexoneNicardipineNonsteroidal antiandrogens (e.g., apalutamide, bicalutamide, enzalutamide, flutamide, nilutamide)OenanthotoxinPentylenetetrazol (pentetrazol)PhenylsilatranePicrotoxin (i.e., picrotin, picrotoxinin and dihydropicrotoxinin)Pregnenolone sulfatePropybicyphatPWZ-029RadequinilRo 15-4513Ro 19-4603RO4882224RO4938581SarmazenilSCSSuritozoleTB-21007TBOBTBPSTCS-1105TerbequinilTETSThujoneU-93631ZincZK-93426
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 | GABAA-ρTooltip γ-Aminobutyric acid A-rho receptor |  | 
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| Metabotropic | | GABABTooltip γ-Aminobutyric acid B receptor | 
Negative modulators: Compound 14
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See alsoReceptor/signaling modulators GABAA receptor positive modulators GABA metabolism/transport modulators 
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