Glycine receptors are ligand-gated chloride channels (, ). Channel opening is triggered by extracellular glycine (   , ). Channel opening is also triggered by taurine and beta-alanine (, ). Channel characteristics depend on the subunit composition; heteropentameric channels are activated by lower glycine levels and display faster desensitization . Plays an important role in the down-regulation of neuronal excitability (, ). Contributes to the generation of inhibitory postsynaptic currents . Channel activity is potentiated by ethanol . Potentiation of channel activity by intoxicating levels of ethanol contribute to the sedative effects of ethanol (By similarity).
Subcellular locations: Postsynaptic cell membrane, Synapse, Perikaryon, Cell projection, Dendrite, Cell membrane