Enables transmitter-gated ion channel activity involved in regulation of postsynaptic membrane potential. Contributes to GABA-gated chloride ion channel activity. Involved in inhibitory synapse assembly and regulation of postsynaptic membrane potential. Located in GABA-ergic synapse and plasma membrane. Is expressed in alimentary system; central nervous system; and eye. Used to study idiopathic generalized epilepsy. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 19 and idiopathic generalized epilepsy 13. Orthologous to human GABRA1 (gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor subunit alpha1). [provided by Alliance of Genome Resources, Apr 2022]