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Regulation of the NMDA receptor by redox phenomena: inhibitory role of ascorbate
M D Majewska1, J A Bell, E D London
1Neuropharmacology Laboratory, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD 21224.
Brain Research
|December 24, 1990
Abstract:
Redox phenomena seem to modulate activity of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor. Some reductants (ascorbate, hydroquinone) inhibit, while others (dithiothreitol, mercaptoethanol, penicillamine) potentiate NMDA receptor function. Ascorbate inhibits binding of [3H]glutamate and [3H]thienylcycohexylpiperidine to the NMDA receptor complex, and impedes NMDA-gated currents in isolated neurons; dithiothreitol-like reductants enhance NMDA-induced currents. The ability of reductants to alter function of the NMDA receptor is abolished by oxidation.