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

Cooperative Allosteric Transitions01:58

Cooperative Allosteric Transitions

8.8K
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...
8.8K
Cooperative Allosteric Transitions01:58

Cooperative Allosteric Transitions

2.7K
2.7K
Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists01:30

Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists

646
Cognitive enhancers, also known as "smart drugs," are substances used to enhance memory, mental alertness, and concentration. These can be natural or synthetic and improve cognition in conditions like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Some common examples include caffeine, amphetamines, methylphenidate, modafinil, arecoline, donepezil, vortioxetine, and piracetam. These enhancers work on the principle of synaptic plasticity and altered circuit function.
646
Structural Protein Function01:56

Structural Protein Function

30.0K
Structural proteins are a category of proteins responsible for functions ranging from cell shape and movement to providing support to major structures such as bones, cartilage, hair, and muscles. This group includes proteins such as collagen, actin, myosin, and keratin.
Collagen, the most abundant protein in mammals, is found throughout the body. In connective tissue, such as skin, ligaments, and tendons, it provides tensile strength and elasticity.  In bones and teeth, it mineralizes to...
30.0K
Fruit Development, Structure, and Function01:58

Fruit Development, Structure, and Function

25.4K
Fruits form from a mature flower ovary. As seeds develop from the ovules contained within, the ovary wall undergoes a series of complex changes to form fruit. In some fruits, such as soybeans, the ovary wall dries; in other fruits, such as grapes, it remains fleshy. In some cases, organs other than the ovary contribute to fruit formation; such fruits are called accessory fruits.
25.4K
Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure01:03

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure

11.8K
The process of olfaction, also known as the sense of smell, is a sophisticated chemical response system. The specialized sensory neurons that facilitate this process, known as olfactory receptor neurons, are situated in an upper segment of the nasal cavity, known as the olfactory epithelium. Olfactory sensory neurons are bipolar, with their dendrites extending from the epithelium's apex into the mucus that lines the nasal cavity. Airborne molecules, when inhaled, traverse the olfactory...
11.8K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Molecular mechanism of calcium permeability and magnesium block in NMDA receptors.

Nature neuroscience·2026
Same author

Native architecture, allosteric modulation and gating mechanism of glycine-dependent NMDA receptors.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Corrigendum to "A subunit-selective negative allosteric modulator of GluN1/GluN3A glycine-activated receptor" [Molecular Pharmacology 108 (2026) 100104].

Molecular pharmacology·2026
Same author

Ectopic NMDAR expression in cancer unmasks germline-encoded autoimmunity.

Nature·2026
Same author

Gene Portals: A Framework for Integrating Clinical, Functional, and Structural Evidence into Rare Disease Variant Classification.

medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences·2026
Same author

Claudin 24-A novel enhancer of AMPA receptor fidelity.

Science advances·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 7, 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

9.8K

Structure, function, and allosteric modulation of NMDA receptors.

Kasper B Hansen1, Feng Yi1, Riley E Perszyk2

  • 1Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Center for Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, University of Montana, Missoula, MT.

The Journal of General Physiology
|July 25, 2018
PubMed
Summary

NMDA receptors are crucial for brain function, including learning and memory. Understanding their structure, formed by various subunits, is key to explaining their diverse roles and potential in neurological disorders.

More Related Videos

Application of a NMDA Receptor Conductance in Rat Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons Using the Dynamic Clamp Technique
06:42

Application of a NMDA Receptor Conductance in Rat Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons Using the Dynamic Clamp Technique

Published on: December 21, 2010

12.5K
A Simple Cell-based Immunofluorescence Assay to Detect Autoantibody Against the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate NMDA Receptor in Blood
07:20

A Simple Cell-based Immunofluorescence Assay to Detect Autoantibody Against the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate NMDA Receptor in Blood

Published on: January 9, 2018

10.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 7, 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

9.8K
Application of a NMDA Receptor Conductance in Rat Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons Using the Dynamic Clamp Technique
06:42

Application of a NMDA Receptor Conductance in Rat Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons Using the Dynamic Clamp Technique

Published on: December 21, 2010

12.5K
A Simple Cell-based Immunofluorescence Assay to Detect Autoantibody Against the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate NMDA Receptor in Blood
07:20

A Simple Cell-based Immunofluorescence Assay to Detect Autoantibody Against the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate NMDA Receptor in Blood

Published on: January 9, 2018

10.3K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • NMDA receptors are ligand-gated ion channels vital for excitatory neurotransmission in the central nervous system (CNS).
  • They play critical roles in synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory, and are implicated in CNS disorders.
  • NMDA receptors are targets for disease-associated genomic variation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the relationship between NMDA receptor structure and function.
  • To highlight emerging atomic resolution structures of NMDA receptors.
  • To explain unique features of NMDA receptor subtypes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature.
  • Analysis of emerging atomic resolution structural data.
  • Correlation of structural findings with functional and pharmacological properties.

Main Results:

  • NMDA receptors comprise diverse subtypes formed by combinations of seven subunits (GluN1, GluN2A-D, GluN3A-B).
  • Subunit variation leads to unique structural features, dictating distinct functional and pharmacological profiles.
  • Emerging atomic structures provide insights into subtype-specific mechanisms.

Conclusions:

  • NMDA receptor structure directly underlies its diverse functions in the CNS.
  • Structural insights are crucial for understanding NMDA receptor roles in physiology and disease.
  • Further structural studies will refine our understanding of NMDA receptor pharmacology and therapeutic potential.