Molecular characterization of NMDA and metabotropic glutamate receptors

Our molecular studies have revealed the existence of a large number of different subunits or subtypes for the NMDA and metabotropic glutamate receptors. The individual receptors show functional variabilities and distinct expression patterns in the CNS. The NMDA receptors belong to the ligand-gated ion channel family and consist of a key subunit NMDAR1 and four accessory subunits NMDAR2A-NMDAR2D. The combination of NMDAR1 and NMDAR2 in heteromeric configurations potentiates glutamate response and produces a functional variability. All the NMDAR subunits have an asparagine residue at the corresponding position of the second transmembrane segments, and these residues are thought to be responsible for controlling Ca2+ permeation and the channel blockade by Mg2+ and cationic channel blockers. Individual NMDAR subunit mRNAs are different in their expression patterns during development and in the adult brain. The mGluR family consists of at least six different subtypes. These subtypes are divided into three subgroups according to their sequence similarities, signal transduction mechanisms, and pharmacological properties. Although their physiological roles largely remain to be elucidated, the retinal L-AP4-sensitive mGluR may have a specific function that mediates excitatory neurotransmission in the visual system. It is thus undoubtedly important to investigate specific functions of different combinations of the NMDA receptor subunits and different subtypes of mGluRs and to explore the molecular mechanisms of glutamate receptor-mediated neuronal plasticity and neurotoxicity.