Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit beta-1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the GABRB1 gene.
The gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor (GABA<sub>A</sub> receptor) is a multisubunit chloride channel that mediates the fastest inhibitory synaptic transmission in the central nervous system. This gene encodes GABA A receptor, beta 1 subunit. It is mapped to chromosome 4p12 in a cluster of genes encoding alpha 4, alpha 2 and gamma 1 subunits of the GABA<sub>A</sub> receptor. Alteration of this gene is implicated in the pathogenetics of schizophrenia.
Mice bearing mutant copies of this gene have been shown to be vulnerable to binge drinking of alcohol.