Glycine receptors are ligand-gated chloride channels. GLRB does not form ligand-gated ion channels by itself, but is part of heteromeric ligand-gated chloride channels. Channel opening is triggered by extracellular glycine (   , ). Heteropentameric channels composed of GLRB and GLRA1 are activated by lower glycine levels than homopentameric GLRA1 . Plays an important role in the down-regulation of neuronal excitability (, ). Contributes to the generation of inhibitory postsynaptic currents .
Subcellular locations: Postsynaptic cell membrane, Synapse, Cell projection, Dendrite, Cell membrane, Cytoplasm
Retained in the cytoplasm upon heterologous expression by itself. Coexpression with GPHN promotes expression at the cell membrane . Coexpression with GLRA1, GLRA2 or GLRA3 promotes expression at the cell membrane.