Glycine receptors are ligand-gated chloride channels. Channel opening is triggered by extracellular glycine (PubMed:9677400, PubMed:26416729). Channel characteristics depend on the subunit composition; heteropentameric channels display faster channel closure (By similarity). Plays an important role in the down-regulation of neuronal excitability (By similarity). Contributes to the generation of inhibitory postsynaptic currents (By similarity). Contributes to increased pain perception in response to increased prostaglandin E2 levels (By similarity). Plays a role in cellular responses to ethanol (By similarity). Homopentamer (in vitro) (PubMed:26416729). Heteropentamer composed of GLRA3 and GLRB. Both homopentamers and heteropentamers form functional ion channels, but their characteristics are subtly different (By similarity). Partially colocalizes with GPHN that is known to mediate receptor clustering at postsynaptic membranes. Widely distributed throughout the central nervous system. The N-terminal domain carries structural determinants essential for agonist and antagonist binding. The channel pore is formed by pentameric assembly of the second transmembrane domain from all five subunits (PubMed:26416729). The cytoplasmic loop is an important determinant of channel inactivation kinetics. Phosphorylated by PKA; this causes down-regulation of channel activity. The alpha subunit binds strychnine. Belongs to the ligand-gated ion channel (TC 1.A.9) family. Glycine receptor (TC 1.A.9.3) subfamily. GLRA3 sub-subfamily.