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Updated: Jul 6, 2026

A High-throughput Calcium-flux Assay to Study NMDA-receptors with Sensitivity to Glycine/D-serine and Glutamate
Published on: July 10, 2018
Regulation of NMDA receptors by an associated phosphatase-kinase signaling complex
R S Westphal1, S J Tavalin, J W Lin
1Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Vollum Institute, Oregon Health Sciences University, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Road, Portland, OR 97201, USA.
Abstract:
Regulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activity by kinases and phosphatases contributes to the modulation of synaptic transmission. Targeting of these enzymes near the substrate is proposed to enhance phosphorylation-dependent modulation. Yotiao, an NMDA receptor-associated protein, bound the type I protein phosphatase (PP1) and the adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase (PKA) holoenzyme. Anchored PP1 was active, limiting channel activity, whereas PKA activation overcame constitutive PP1 activity and conferred rapid enhancement of NMDA receptor currents. Hence, yotiao is a scaffold protein that physically attaches PP1 and PKA to NMDA receptors to regulate channel activity.
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