Molecular mechanisms of glutamate receptor clustering at excitatory synapses.
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.
O'Brien
R J
RJ
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.
Lau
L F
LF
Huganir
R L
RL
D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D015640:Ion Channel Gating / Q000502:physiology*; D018091:Receptors, AMPA / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology
D018091:Receptors, AMPA; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate