This gene encodes a neuronal assembly protein that anchors inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors to the postsynaptic cytoskeleton via high affinity binding to a receptor subunit domain and tubulin dimers. In nonneuronal tissues, the encoded protein is also required for molybdenum cofactor biosynthesis. Mutations in this gene may be associated with the neurological condition hyperplexia and also lead to molybdenum cofactor deficiency. Numerous alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been described; however, the full-length nature of all transcript variants is not currently known. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]
Forensic Context
A study in humans demonstrated that the GPHN is down-regulated in the hippocampus of individuals with alcohol use disorder, where it functions as a scaffolding protein anchoring GABA_A receptors, indicating a disruption in inhibitory synaptic organization associated with chronic alcohol exposure [Warden & Mayfield 10.1016/J.Neuropharm.2017.02.017].