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Updated: May 15, 2026

A High-content Assay for Monitoring AMPA Receptor Trafficking
Published on: January 28, 2019
Neuroligin-1 controls synaptic abundance of NMDA-type glutamate receptors through extracellular coupling
Elaine C Budreck1, Oh-Bin Kwon, Jung Hoon Jung
1Biozentrum, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Despite the pivotal functions of the NMDA receptor (NMDAR) for neural circuit development and synaptic plasticity, the molecular mechanisms underlying the dynamics of NMDAR trafficking are poorly understood. The cell adhesion molecule neuroligin-1 (NL1) modifies NMDAR-dependent synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity, but it is unclear whether NL1 controls synaptic accumulation or function of the receptors. Here, we provide evidence that NL1 regulates the abundance of NMDARs at postsynaptic sites. This function relies on extracellular, NL1 isoform-specific sequences that facilitate biochemical interactions between NL1 and the NMDAR GluN1 subunit. Our work uncovers NL1 isoform-specific cis-interactions with ionotropic glutamate receptors as a key mechanism for controlling synaptic properties.
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