NMDA receptors: linking physiological output to biophysical operation
=====================================================================
Introduction
============
- NMDA is part of the iGluR family, aside AMPA and kainate receptors, and have largely a similar structure
- AMPA determine the onset and maximal amplitude of the EPSC. NMDA, given its slow gating, determines the decay of the EPSC
- Molecular composition of native NMDARs is yet undefined
Observing the NMDAR output
==========================
- NMDARs are heterotetramers of seven genetically encoded, differentially expresssed subunits:
- GluN1 (8 different variants produced by splicing)
- 4 GluN2 (GluN2A-D)
- 2 GluN3 (GluN3B)
- Glutamatergic NMDARs contain at least one GluN1 (co-agonist glycine binding site) subunit and at least one GluN2 subunit (glutamate binding site).
- Additional diversity of function (kinetics, voltage dependency of block,Ca2+ cond.) is conferred by further composition