GluN2D NMDA Receptors: Bridging Physiology and Pathology

NMDA receptors (NMDARs) are pivotal mediators of excitatory neurotransmission and play crucial roles in normal brain development, synaptic plasticity, and higher-order cognitive functions such as learning and memory. Their involvement in such diverse physiological processes arises from the complex regulation of synaptic and neuronal activity, primarily conferred by subunit heterogeneity. The combination of different GluN2 subunits, each with distinct spatiotemporal expression patterns, localization within neuronal circuits, and unique biophysical and pharmacological properties, enables NMDARs to finely tune synaptic responses across various brain regions and developmental stages. Among these, the GluN2D subunit has remained relatively understudied compared with the extensively characterized GluN2A and GluN2B. Nonetheless, recent advances have brought renewed attention to their specialized roles. GluN2D is broadly expressed during embryonic and early postnatal development, but its expression becomes more spatially restricted in the adult brain, where it is predominantly found in subpopulations of GABAergic (gamma-aminobutyric acidergic) interneurons. This developmentally regulated and cell type-specific expression pattern suggests that GluN2D contributes to the maturation and maintenance of excitatory-inhibitory balance and coordinated network activity. Although early progress in understanding GluN2D function was limited by a lack of selective tools and suitable models, recent breakthroughs in pharmacology, transgenic mouse models, and human genetic studies have significantly facilitated detailed investigations into the physiological and pathological roles of this subunit. In this review, we examine the unique physiological and pharmacological properties of GluN2D and underscore its growing significance in the context of neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders.