TARPs and the AMPA receptor trafficking paradox

Neuron. 2007 Mar 1;53(5):627-33. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2007.02.006.

Abstract

AMPA receptors (AMPARs) conduct fast, excitatory currents that depolarize neurons and trigger action potentials. AMPARs took on new importance when it was shown that AMPAR transport can increase or decrease the number of AMPARs at synapses and give rise to synapse plasticity, including long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD). This review considers how transmembrane AMPAR regulatory proteins (TARPs), a novel family of AMPAR auxiliary subunits, have changed our view of AMPAR transport and raised some perplexing questions.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium Channels / chemistry
  • Calcium Channels / genetics*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Neurologic Mutants*
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Protein Transport / physiology*
  • Receptors, AMPA / chemistry
  • Receptors, AMPA / physiology*

Substances

  • Cacng2 protein, mouse
  • Calcium Channels
  • Receptors, AMPA