New insights into the not - so - new NR 3 subunits of NMDA receptor : Localization , structure and function

The NR3 subunits (NR3A and NR3B) are new players in a well-established field of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, previously involving the NR1 and NR2 subunits. Their incorporation into conventional NMDA receptors forms glutamate-activated NR1/NR2/NR3 triheteromers, while the omission of the glutamate-binding NR2 subunits results in excitatory glycine-activated NR1/NR3 diheteromers. These NR3-containing NMDA receptors exhibit several differences in receptor properties compared to the conventional NR1/NR2 receptors. This review highlights the major landmarks which have been achieved in the past decade or so involving NR3 subunit research in four key areas: the spatiotemporal mapping of NR3 protein, the structural elucidation of NR3 domains, pharmacological characterization of NR3-containing receptors and the successful generation of NR3 knockout/transgenic animals. It is expected that further characterization of their functional roles coupled with the identification of endogenous and exogenous ligands will eventually advance the understanding of the basic pharmacology as well as the complex role of NMDA receptors in higher brain functions and neurological disorders. (157 words) This article has not been copyedited and formatted. The final version may differ from this version. Molecular Pharmacology Fast Forward. Published on April 2, 2010 as DOI: 10.1124/mol.110.064006 at A PE T Jornals on M ay 1, 2016 m oharm .aspeurnals.org D ow nladed from