title: Regulation of AMPA receptors and synaptic plasticity.
abstract: Neuronal activity controls the strength of excitatory synapses by mechanisms that include changes in the postsynaptic responses mediated by AMPA receptors. These receptors account for most fast responses at excitatory synapses of the CNS, and their activity is regulated by various signaling pathways which control the electrophysiological properties of AMPA receptors and their interaction with numerous intracellular regulatory proteins. AMPA receptor phosphorylation/dephosphorylation and interaction with other proteins control their recycling and localization to defined postsynaptic sites, thereby regulating the strength of the synapse. This review focuses on recent advances in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of regulation of AMPA receptors, and the implications in synaptic plasticity.
authors.affiliation: Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Department of Zoology, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Caldeira
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Duarte
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000502:physiology; D018091:Receptors, AMPA / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013570:Synaptic Membranes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D018091:Receptors, AMPA; D018698:Glutamic Acid