title: The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit NR2B: localization, functional properties, regulation, and clinical implications.
abstract: The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor is an example of a heteromeric ligand-gated ion channel that interacts with multiple intracellular proteins by way of different subunits. NMDA receptors are composed of seven known subunits (NR1, NR2A-D, NR3A-B). The present review focuses on the NR2B subunit of the receptor. Over the last several years, an increasing number of reports have demonstrated the importance of the NR2B subunit in a variety of synaptic signaling events and protein-protein interactions. The NR2B subunit has been implicated in modulating functions such as learning, memory processing, pain perception, and feeding behaviors, as well as being involved in a number of human disorders. The following review provides a summary of recent findings regarding the structural features, localization, functional properties, and regulation of the NR2B subunit. The review concludes with a section discussing the role of NR2B in human diseases.
authors.affiliation: Research Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mental Health (P3MHDC), 3710 SW U.S. Veterans Hospital Road, Portland, OR 97201, USA. loftisj@ohsu.edu
authors.forename: Jennifer M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Loftis
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Janowsky
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000378:metabolism; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D006816:Huntington Disease / Q000378:metabolism; D020925:Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010146:Pain / Q000378:metabolism; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000378:metabolism; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000378:metabolism; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000378:metabolism; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: C121001:NR2B NMDA receptor; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate