AMPA receptor subunit GluR2 gates injurious signals in ischemic stroke.
Ischemic stroke, or a brain attack, is the third leading cause of death in developed countries. A critical feature of the disease is a highly selective pattern of neuronal loss; certain identifiable subsets of neurons--particularly CA1 pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus are severely damaged, whereas others remain intact. A key step in this selective neuronal injury is Ca2+/Zn2+ entry into vulnerable neurons through alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptor channels, a principle subtype of glutamate receptors. AMPA receptor channels are assembled from glutamate receptor (GluR)1, -2, -3, and -4 subunits. Circumstance data have indicated that the GluR2 subunits dictate Ca2+/Zn2+ permeability of AMPA receptor channels and gate injurious Ca2+/Zn2+ signals in vulnerable neurons. Therefore, targeting to the AMPA receptor subunit GluR2 can be considered a practical strategy for stroke therapy.
Soundarapandian
Mangala M
MM
Biomolecular Science Center, Burnett College of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA.
Tu
Wei Hong
WH
Peng
Peter L
PL
Zervos
Antonis S
AS
Lu
YouMing
Y
D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D005971:Glutamates / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D017966:Pyramidal Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018091:Receptors, AMPA / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000378:metabolism
D005971:Glutamates; D018091:Receptors, AMPA; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; C104722:glutamate receptor ionotropic, AMPA 2