Evidence suggests a physiological role of the GABAA receptor in the pancreas. Clinically, an autoimmune reaction involving the GABA biosynthesizing enzyme, glutamic acid decar☐ylase has been implicated in the development of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. To determine the subtypes of GABAA receptor expressed in human pancreas, we analyzed, with the use of the reverse-transcription/polymerase chain reaction technique human pancreatic tissue for the presence of GABAA receptor subunits α1–6, β1–3, and γ1–2 transcripts. Unlike brain tissue, pancreatic tissue only expresses the α2, β3 and γ1 subunits. Our results provide evidence of a specific GABAA receptor subtype expressed in human pancreatic tissue.
