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GLRA4 (Glycine receptor, alpha 4)

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What is MOCA?
MOCA FAQ...
Human Uniqueness Compared to "Great Apes": 
Likely Difference
MOCA Domain: 
Genetics
MOCA Topic Authors: 
Majesta O'Bleness
James Sikela

The glycine receptor alpha 4 (GLRA4) is a human lineage specific processed pseudogene. Glycine receptors are membrane bound ligand-gated chloride channels mediated by glycine, which acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Glycine receptors are pentameric channels composed of four alpha subunits and one beta subunit. Most mammals have 4 functional alpha subunit genes, however, in humans alpha 4 is a pseudogene. Implications for the loss of function of GLRA4 is unknown.

Genetics Topic Attributes

Gene symbols follow the HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee standard.

Gene Symbol:
GLRA4 (GLRA4: glycine receptor, alpha 4)
Type of Human-Specific Changes:
Pseudogenization
Related MOCA Topics
Timing

Timing of Appearance of the Difference in the Hominin Lineage.

For this entry assume that

  • the common ancestor of humans and old world monkeys was 25000 thousand (25 million) years ago
  • the common ancestor of humans and chimpanzees was 6000 thousand (6 million) years ago
  • the emergence of the genus Homo was 2000 thousand (2 million) years ago
  • the common ancestor of modern humans was 100 thousand years ago

 

Definite Appearance: 
6000 Thousand Years
References: 

Yim PD, Gallos G, Xu D, Zhang Y, Emala CW. (2011) Novel expression of a functional glycine receptor chloride channel that attenuates contraction in airway smooth muscle. FASEB J. 2011 May;25(5):1706-17. PMID: 21282206

 

Kim HL, Igawa T, Kawashima A, Satta Y, Takahata N. (2010) Divergence, demography and gene loss along the human lineage. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 365(1552):2451-7.PMID: 20643734

 

Lynch JW. Molecular structure and function of the glycine receptor chloride channel. Physiol Rev. 2004 Oct;84(4):1051-95. PMID: 15383648

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