title: Synaptic localization of neurotransmitter receptors: comparing mechanisms for AMPA and GABAA receptors.
abstract: Ionotropic neurotransmitter receptors mediate fast synaptic transmission by localizing at postsynapses. Changes in receptor number at synapses induce synaptic plasticity. Thus, mechanisms for the synaptic localization of receptors in basal transmission and synaptic plasticity have been investigated extensively. Recent findings reveal that synaptic localization of tetrameric AMPA receptors in basal transmission requires the PDZ binding of TARP auxiliary subunits, which modulate receptor properties and pharmacology. On the other hand, pentameric GABAA receptors require multiple receptor subunits for their synaptic localization in basal transmission. AMPA receptors seem to utilize distinct mechanisms for basal synaptic localization and synaptic insertion during plasticity. Revealing precise mechanisms for receptor synaptic localization may establish new approaches to control synaptic transmission.
authors.affiliation: Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair (CNNR), Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
authors.forename: James S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Martenson
authors.affiliation: Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair (CNNR), Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA. Electronic address: Susumu.Tomita@yale.edu.
authors.forename: Susumu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tomita
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D054731:PDZ Domains; D021122:Protein Subunits; D018091:Receptors, AMPA / Q000378:metabolism*; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000378:metabolism*; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D021122:Protein Subunits; D018091:Receptors, AMPA; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A