Component of a heterodimeric G-protein coupled receptor for GABA, formed by GABBR1 and GABBR2. Within the heterodimeric GABA receptor, only GABBR1 seems to bind agonists, while GABBR2 mediates coupling to G proteins. Ligand binding causes a conformation change that triggers signaling via guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) and modulates the activity of down-stream effectors, such as adenylate cyclase. Signaling inhibits adenylate cyclase, stimulates phospholipase A2, activates potassium channels, inactivates voltage-dependent calcium-channels and modulates inositol phospholipid hydrolysis. Calcium is required for high affinity binding to GABA. Plays a critical role in the fine-tuning of inhibitory synaptic transmission. Pre-synaptic GABA receptor inhibits neurotransmitter release by down-regulating high-voltage activated calcium channels, whereas postsynaptic GABA receptor decreases neuronal excitability by activating a prominent inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) conductance that underlies the late inhibitory postsynaptic potentials. Not only implicated in synaptic inhibition but also in hippocampal long-term potentiation, slow wave sleep, muscle relaxation and antinociception. Activated by (-)-baclofen, cgp27492 and blocked by phaclofen. Isoform 1E may regulate the formation of functional GABBR1/GABBR2 heterodimers by competing for GABBR2 binding. This could explain the observation that certain small molecule ligands exhibit differential affinity for central versus peripheral sites.Xinmin Xie, J. Physiol., Jul 2006; 574: 399 - 414.A. Gambardella, Neurology, Feb 2003; 60: 560 - 563.P Tosetti, J. Physiol., Nov 2005; 568: 951 - 966.Marta Margeta-Mitrovic, PNAS, Dec 2001; 98: 14643.