Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 11, 2026

Microtransplantation of Synaptic Membranes to Reactivate Human Synaptic Receptors for Functional Studies
Published on: July 20, 2022
Synaptic localization of the glutamate receptor subunit GluR2 in the rat nucleus tractus solitarii
Philippe Lachamp1, Bénédicte Balland, Fabien Tell
1ITIS, UMR 6150, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique et Université de la Méditerranée, IFR Jean Roche, Faculté de Médecine Nord, Bd Pierre Dramard, F13916 Marseille cedex 20, France.
Abstract:
The GluR2 subunit controls several key features of the alpha amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate (AMPA)-type glutamate receptor including calcium permeability, rectification and gating. In the present study, electrophysiological recordings and immunocytochemistry were used to document the synaptic localization of GluR2 in the rat nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS). Synaptic responses recorded in NTS neurons exhibited linear current-voltage relationships suggestive of GluR2-containing AMPA receptor responses. Furthermore, after antigen retrieval GluR2 immunolabelling in the NTS mainly consisted of small puncta. Double-labelling experiments showed that these GluR2 puncta were apposed to glutamatergic synaptic terminals identified by type II vesicular glutamate transporter immunoreactivity. These results indicate that NTS glutamatergic synapses are endowed with AMPA receptors which contain the GluR2 subunit and are therefore likely to be both calcium-impermeable and slowly desensitizing.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Synaptic Signaling
Synaptic Signaling
Most synapses are chemical, meaning an electrical impulse or action potential spurs the release of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. The neuron sending the signal is called the presynaptic neuron, and the neuron receiving the signal is the postsynaptic neuron.
The presynaptic neuron fires an action potential that...
The Nucleus
Arrangement of DNA within Nucleus
The regulation of gene expression inside the nucleus is dependent on many factors, including the DNA structure. The...
The Nucleus
Arrangement of DNA within Nucleus
The regulation of gene expression inside the nucleus is dependent on many factors, including the DNA structure. The...
G-protein Coupled Receptors
Internal Receptors

