GABA(A) receptors are the primary inhibitory ion channels in the mammalian central nervous system. The A322D mutation in the α1 subunit of GABA(A) receptors is known to result in its degradation and reduce its cell surface expression, leading to loss of GABAA receptor function in autosomal dominant juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Here, we show that SAHA, a FDA-approved drug, increases the transcription of the α1(A322D) subunit, enhances its folding and trafficking posttranslationally, increases its cell surface level, and restores the GABA-induced maximal current in HEK293 cells expressing α1(A322D)β2γ2 receptors to 10% of that for wild-type receptors. To enhance the trafficking efficiency of the α1(A322D) subunit, SAHA increases the BiP protein level and the interaction between the α1(A322D) subunit and calnexin. SAHA is a drug that enhances epilepsy-associated GABAA receptor proteostasis.
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