Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism01:30

Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism

Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in intercellular communication and functions of the nervous system. They allow the influx of ions across the membrane once the neurotransmitter binds, allowing the subsequent transmission of electrical excitation across the neurons. Other ligand-gated ion channels, like the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, permit anions like chloride into the cells on the binding of the GABA molecule. Their entry into the cell...
The Two-State Receptor Model01:29

The Two-State Receptor Model

The two-state receptor model explains a drug's interaction with receptors, such as G protein-coupled receptors and ligand-gated ion channels, to induce or inhibit a biological response. When no natural ligands are present, a receptor exists in an equilibrium of inactive (Ri) and active (Ra) conformations. The inactive form does not produce a response, while the active form generates a basal effect known as constitutive activity.
The binding affinity of a drug determines its interaction with one...
Opioid Receptors: Overview01:22

Opioid Receptors: Overview

Opioid receptors, including the mu (μ, MOR), delta (δ, DOR), and kappa (κ, KOR) types, belong to the rhodopsin family of G protein-coupled receptors. These receptors are located throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems and in non-neuronal tissues such as macrophages and astrocytes. Opioid receptor ligands can be categorized into agonists or antagonists. Highly selective agonists include [d-Ala2, MePhe4, Gly(ol)5]-enkephalin or DAMGO for MOR, [D-Pen2, D-Pen5]-enkephalin or DPDPE for...
Cooperative Allosteric Transitions01:58

Cooperative Allosteric Transitions

Cooperative allosteric transitions can occur in multimeric proteins, where each subunit of the protein has its own ligand-binding site. When a ligand binds to any of these subunits, it triggers a conformational change that affects the binding sites in the other subunits; this can change the affinity of the other sites for their respective ligands. The ability of the protein to change the shape of its binding site is attributed to the presence of a mix of flexible and stable segments in the...
Diversity of Antigen Receptors01:28

Diversity of Antigen Receptors

Antigen receptors are essential components of the immune system crucial in defending the body against foreign invaders. These receptors are present on the surface of B and T cells, enabling them to recognize antigens and mount an appropriate immune response.
Before encountering any antigen, lymphocytes express these receptors. On B cells, the antigen receptor is a membrane-bound antibody molecule called BCR; on T cells, it is a T cell receptor or TCR. B and T cell receptors are composed of two...
GPCR Desensitization01:12

GPCR Desensitization

G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling plays a crucial role in cell functioning. GPCR desensitization is an equally essential process. It allows cells to respond to changing environments and regain sensitivity to new stimuli while preventing unnecessary stimulation when no longer needed. Prolonged exposure to stimuli leads to GPCR desensitization. It involves blocking the receptors from binding and activating additional G proteins. This inhibits activation of downstream effectors, thereby...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

A reassessment of NMDA receptor-dependent presynaptic homeostatic plasticity.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2026
Same author

Localization and Functional Characterization of MDGA1 in Mouse Hippocampus.

The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience·2026
Same author

LTP: A Personal Journey and Beyond.

Hippocampus·2026
Same author

Trio and CRMP2 regulate axon branching and Semaphorin3A signaling.

Communications biology·2025
Same author

Inhibition of GluN2B-containing N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors by radiprodil.

Brain : a journal of neurology·2025
Same author

Modulating synaptic glutamate receptors by targeting network nodes of the postsynaptic density condensate.

Molecular cell·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 24, 2026

A High-throughput Calcium-flux Assay to Study NMDA-receptors with Sensitivity to Glycine/D-serine and Glutamate
04:48

A High-throughput Calcium-flux Assay to Study NMDA-receptors with Sensitivity to Glycine/D-serine and Glutamate

Published on: July 10, 2018

Diversity in NMDA receptor composition: many regulators, many consequences.

Antonio Sanz-Clemente1, Roger A Nicoll, Katherine W Roche

  • 1National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.

The Neuroscientist : a Review Journal Bringing Neurobiology, Neurology and Psychiatry
|February 21, 2012
PubMed
Summary

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) regulate learning and memory. Their subunit composition, particularly GluN2A and GluN2B, changes during development and synaptic maturation, impacting brain function and neuronal disorders.

More Related Videos

A High-content Assay for Monitoring AMPA Receptor Trafficking
10:34

A High-content Assay for Monitoring AMPA Receptor Trafficking

Published on: January 28, 2019

One-channel Cell-attached Patch-clamp Recording
13:07

One-channel Cell-attached Patch-clamp Recording

Published on: June 9, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 24, 2026

A High-throughput Calcium-flux Assay to Study NMDA-receptors with Sensitivity to Glycine/D-serine and Glutamate
04:48

A High-throughput Calcium-flux Assay to Study NMDA-receptors with Sensitivity to Glycine/D-serine and Glutamate

Published on: July 10, 2018

A High-content Assay for Monitoring AMPA Receptor Trafficking
10:34

A High-content Assay for Monitoring AMPA Receptor Trafficking

Published on: January 28, 2019

One-channel Cell-attached Patch-clamp Recording
13:07

One-channel Cell-attached Patch-clamp Recording

Published on: June 9, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Synaptic Plasticity

Background:

  • N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are crucial ionotropic glutamate receptors involved in learning, memory, and synaptic development.
  • NMDARs are tetramers, typically comprising two GluN1 subunits and two GluN2 or GluN3 subunits, with their expression and composition tightly regulated.
  • Subunit composition varies across brain regions, developmental stages, and synaptic activity levels.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) subunit composition.
  • To highlight the role of GluN2A and GluN2B subunits in conferring distinct NMDAR properties.
  • To discuss the significance of NMDAR subunit switching and the balance between synaptic and extrasynaptic receptors in neuronal disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent literature on NMDAR subunit regulation.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms controlling NMDAR function, including transcription, translation, trafficking, and posttranscriptional modifications.
  • Examination of factors influencing the switch between GluN2B- and GluN2A-containing NMDARs.

Main Results:

  • Identified molecular mechanisms governing subunit-specific NMDAR function.
  • Demonstrated that GluN2A and GluN2B subunits are key determinants of NMDAR properties in the cortex and hippocampus.
  • Showcased the dynamic shift from GluN2B- to GluN2A-containing NMDARs during synaptic maturation and in response to experience.

Conclusions:

  • NMDAR subunit composition is dynamically regulated by multiple molecular mechanisms.
  • Changes in NMDAR subunit composition, particularly the GluN2 subunit switch, are critical for synaptic maturation and neuronal function.
  • Dysregulation of NMDAR balance contributes to various neuronal disorders.