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Γ-Aminobutyric acid

Main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian brain / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

γ-Aminobutyric acid (gamma-aminobutyric acid) /ˈɡæmə əˈmiːnoʊbjuːˈtɪrɪk ˈæsɪd/, or GABA /ˈɡæbə/, is the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the developmentally mature mammalian central nervous system. Its principal role is reducing neuronal excitability throughout the nervous system.

Quick facts: Names, Identifiers, Properties, Hazards... ▼
γ-Aminobutyric acid
Simplified structural formula
GABA molecule
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
4-Aminobutanoic acid
Other names
γ-Aminobutanoic acid
4-Aminobutyric acid
3-Carboxypropylamine
Piperidic acid
Piperidinic acid
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
906818
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
DrugBank
ECHA InfoCard 100.000.235 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 200-258-6
49775
KEGG
MeSH gamma-Aminobutyric+Acid
RTECS number
  • ES6300000
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C4H9NO2/c5-3-1-2-4(6)7/h1-3,5H2,(H,6,7) checkY
    Key: BTCSSZJGUNDROE-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/C4H9NO2/c5-3-1-2-4(6)7/h1-3,5H2,(H,6,7)
    Key: BTCSSZJGUNDROE-UHFFFAOYAC
  • NCCCC(=O)O
Properties
C4H9NO2
Molar mass 103.120 g/mol
Appearance white microcrystalline powder
Density 1.11 g/mL
Melting point 203.7 °C (398.7 °F; 476.8 K)
Boiling point 247.9 °C (478.2 °F; 521.0 K)
130 g/100 mL
log P −3.17
Acidity (pKa)
  • 4.031 (carboxyl; H2O)
  • 10.556 (amino; H2O)[1]
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
 Irritant, Harmful
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
12,680 mg/kg (mouse, oral)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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GABA is sold as a dietary supplement in many countries. It has been traditionally thought that exogenous GABA (i.e. taken as a supplement) does not cross the blood–brain barrier, but data obtained from more recent research in rats describes the notion as being unclear.[2][3]

The carboxylate form of GABA is γ-aminobutyrate.