Background：Glycine receptors are ligand-gated chloride channels(PubMed:23994010, PubMed:25730860). Channel opening is triggered by extracellular glycine(PubMed:2155780, PubMed:7920629, PubMed:14551753, PubMed:16144831, PubMed:22715885, PubMed:22973015, PubMed:25973519, PubMed:9009272). Channel opening is also triggered by taurine and beta-alanine(PubMed:16144831, PubMed:9009272). Channel characteristics depend on the subunit composition; heteropentameric channels are activated by lower glycine levels and display faster desensitization(PubMed:14551753). Plays an important role in the down-regulation of neuronal excitability(PubMed:8298642, PubMed:9009272). Contributes to the generation of inhibitory postsynaptic currents(PubMed:25445488). Channel activity is potentiated by ethanol(PubMed:25973519). Potentiation of channel activity by intoxicating levels ot ethanol contribute to the sedative effects of ethanol(By similarity).
