The NMDA receptor complex: a multifunctional machine at the glutamatergic synapse

作者：Fan Xuelai; Jin Wu Yang; Wang Yu Tian^*

来源：Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, 2014, 8: 160.

DOI：10.3389/fncel.2014.00160

• NMDA receptors
• protein-protein interaction
• synaptic plasticity
• dopamine receptors
• excitotoxicity
• ion channel complex
• signaling pathways

The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are part of a large multiprotein complex at the glutamatergic synapse. The assembly of NMDARs with synaptic proteins offers a means to regulate NMDAR channel properties and receptor trafficking, and couples NMDAR activation to distinct intracellular signaling pathways, thus contributing to the versatility of NMDAR functions. Receptor-protein interactions at the synapse provide a dynamic and powerful mechanism for regulating synaptic efficacy, but can also contribute to NMDAR overactivation-induced excitotoxicity and cellular damage under pathological conditions. An emerging concept is that by understanding the mechanisms and functions of disease-specific protein-protein interactions in the NMDAR complex, we may be able to develop novel therapies based on protein-NMDAR interactions for the treatment of brain diseases in which NMDAR dysfunction is at the root of their pathogenesis.

• 出版日期2014-6-10