Molecular mechanisms of glutamate receptor clustering at excitatory synapses

Curr Opin Neurobiol. 1998 Jun;8(3):364-9. doi: 10.1016/s0959-4388(98)80062-7.

Abstract

The targeting of AMPA- and NMDA-type glutamate receptors to synapses in the central nervous system is essential for efficient excitatory synaptic transmission. Recent studies have indicated that protein-protein interactions of these receptors with synaptic proteins that contain PDZ domains are crucial for receptor targeting. NMDA receptors have been found to bind to the PSD-95 family of proteins, whereas AMPA receptors interact with the PDZ-domain-containing protein GRIP (glutamate receptor interacting protein). PSD-95 and GRIP contain multiple PDZ domains as well as other protein-protein interaction motifs that help to form large macromolecular complexes that may be important for the formation and plasticity of synapses.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Ion Channel Gating / physiology*
  • Receptors, AMPA / genetics*
  • Receptors, AMPA / metabolism
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / genetics*
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Synapses / chemistry*
  • Synapses / physiology

Substances

  • Receptors, AMPA
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate