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NMDA receptors: from genes to channels
N J Sucher1, M Awobuluyi, Y B Choi
1Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
Trends in Pharmacological Sciences
|October 1, 1996
Summary
N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are ionotropic glutamate receptors. Research highlights the need to reconcile differences between recombinant and native NMDA receptor properties for future studies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are a critical class of ionotropic glutamate receptors.
- Their definition has evolved with the discovery of functional sites and cloning of receptor subunits.
- Understanding the molecular basis of NMDA receptor function is a key research goal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the characterization of NMDA receptors through molecular cloning.
- To highlight the challenges in comparing recombinant and native NMDA receptor pharmacology.
- To guide future research directions in NMDA receptor studies.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent literature on NMDA receptor functional sites.
- Analysis of studies involving cloned NMDA receptor subunits.
- Pharmacological comparison of recombinant and native NMDA receptor data.
Main Results:
- Cloning of NMDA receptor subunits has advanced the characterization of these receptors.
- Significant discrepancies exist between the pharmacological profiles of recombinant and native NMDA receptors.
- Existing data suggests caution when extrapolating findings from recombinant systems to native neuronal contexts.
Conclusions:
- The molecular understanding of NMDA receptors has significantly improved.
- Reconciling the differences between recombinant and native NMDA receptor properties is crucial.
- Future research must address these disparities to accurately define NMDA receptor function in vivo.