GluN2D-containing NMDA receptors support dentate granule cell excitability, synaptic plasticity, and memory

N-Methyl-D-aspartate ionotropic glutamate receptors (NMDARs) are crucial for synaptic transmission, long-term plasticity, neuronal activity, and cognition. Consistent with these functions, NMDAR dysfunction is linked to several brain disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, autism, schizophrenia, and depression. NMDARs are tetrameric complexes composed of two essential GluN1 subunits and two distinct GluN2 subunits (GluN2A-D) that define their functional characteristics. Although the roles of GluN2A and GluN2B, which are highly expressed in the brain, have been extensively studied, much less is known about GluN2D in brain function. Using selective GluN2D antagonists in the mature rodent brain and a conditional GluN2D knockout model, we assessed the role of GluN2D-containing NMDARs in dentate granule cells (GCs). We found that these receptors are tonically active, primarily extrasynaptic, and facilitate GC action-potential firing. Additionally, physiologically relevant presynaptic and postsynaptic activity patterns induced strong long-term potentiation of NMDAR-mediated transmission at medial perforant path synaptic inputs. This plasticity was likely driven by lateral diffusion of GluN2D and supported by non-canonical glutamate delta-1 (GluD1) receptors. Finally, removing GluN2D from excitatory cells in the dentate gyrus impaired spatial memory. Overall, our findings demonstrate that GluN2D-containing NMDARs are vital for hippocampal function, likely by modulating GC activity and mediating NMDAR synaptic plasticity.

GluN2D-containing NMDA receptors control dentate gyrus function by regulating neuronal firing and synaptic plasticity.