Combinatorial RNA splicing alters the surface charge on the NMDA receptor

Transcripts encoding four NMDA receptor subunits, generated from the NMDAR1 gene by alternative RNA splicing, have been demonstrated in adult rat brain. RNA transcripts derived from cDNAs encoding each form direct the formation of functional NMDA receptors in Xenopus oocytes. The two amino acid cassettes of 21 and 37 amino acids found in the splice variants increase the positive extracellular surface charge on the subunits and may thereby modulate the functional properties of the receptor.