FIGURE 1.

Glycine receptors and brain development. Glycine receptors control different processes during pre and postnatal development of the brain. During embryonic development, studies suggest that GlyRs are involved in neurotransmitter release and the control of cell migration. Migrating interneurons are schematized in green while radially migrating cells are shown in orange. Postnatal functions depend on the depolarizing or hyperpolarizing action downstream GlyRs activation. Initially, GlyRs mediate excitation and promote neurotransmitter release and synaptic communication. Later, GlyRs act as inhibitory and take part in inhibitory synapses. E, embryonic day; P, postnatal day, CR, Cajal–Retzius cells; PP, pre-plate; CP, cortical plate; SVZ, sub-ventricular zone; VZ, ventricular zone; IZ, intermediate zone; GlyRs, glycine receptors; V, voltage; I, current; IPSCs, inhibitory postsynaptic currents.