A-methyl-D-aspartate receptors NMDARs

These cationic channels (also referred to as ionotropic receptors in contrast to metabotropic receptors which are GPCR activated by glutamate), include A -methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDAR), a-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic-acidreceptors (AMPAR) and kainate receptors. They are widely expressed in the central nervous system where they play key roles in excitatory... 

NMDAR. A-methyl-D-aspartate receptor—an ionotropic receptor for glutamate. It plays a critical role in synaptic plasticity mechanisms and thus is necessary for several types of learning and memory. 

NMD A receptors are selectively activated by A/-methyl-D-aspartate (NMD A) (182). NMD A receptor activation also requires glycine or other co-agonist occupation of an allosteric site. NMDAR-1, -2A, -2B, -2C, and -2D are the five NMD A receptor subunits known. Two forms of NMDAR-1 are generated by alternative splicing. NMDAR-1 proteins form homomeric ionotropic receptors in expression systems and may do so m situ in the CNS. Functional responses, however, are markedly augmented by co-expression of a NMDAR-2 and NMDAR-1 subunits. The kinetic and pharmacological properties of the NMD A receptor are influenced by the particular subunit composition. 

---