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Functional characterization of a heteromeric NMDA receptor channel expressed from cloned cDNAs

Nature volume 357, pages 70–74 (1992)Cite this article

Abstract

THE glutamate receptor (GluR) channel plays a key part in brain function1,2. Among GluR channel subtypes, the NMDA (JV-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor channel which is highly permeable to Ca2+ is essential for the synaptic plasticity underlying memory, learning and development3,4. Furthermore, abnormal activation of the NMDA receptor channel may trigger the neuronal cell death observed in various brain disorders5,6. A complementary DNA encoding a subunit of the rodent NMDA receptor channel (NMDAR1 or ζ1) has been cloned and its functional properties investigated7,8. Here we report the identification and primary structure of a novel mouse NMDA receptor channel subunit, designated as ɛl, after cloning and sequencing the cDNA. The ɛ l subunit shows 11-18% amino-acid sequence identity with rodent GluR channel subunits that have been characterized so far and has structural features common to neurotransmitter-gated ion channels. Expression from cloned cDNAs of the ɛ I subunit together with the ζ1 subunit in Xenopus oocytes yields functional GluR channels with high activity and characteristics of the NMDA receptor channel. Furthermore, the heteromeric NMDA receptor channel can be activated by glycine alone.

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Author notes

  1. Masayoshi Mishina: To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuropharmacology, School of Medicine, Niigata University, Asahimachi 1, Niigata, 951, Japan

    Hiroyuki Meguro, Hisashi Mori, Kazuaki Araki, Etsuko Kushiya, Tatsuya Kutsuwada, Makoto Yamazaki, Kenji Sakimura & Masayoshi Mishina

  2. Department of Neuropathology, Brain Research Institute, School of Medicine, Niigata University, Asahimachi 1, Niigata, 951, Japan

    Toshiro Kumanishi

  3. Department of Medicine II, School of Medicine, Niigata University, Asahimachi 1, Niigata, 951, Japan

    Hiroyuki Meguro, Tatsuya Kutsuwada & Masaaki Arakawa

Authors
  1. Hiroyuki Meguro
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  2. Hisashi Mori
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  3. Kazuaki Araki
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  4. Etsuko Kushiya
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  5. Tatsuya Kutsuwada
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  6. Makoto Yamazaki
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  8. Masaaki Arakawa
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  9. Kenji Sakimura
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Meguro, H., Mori, H., Araki, K. et al. Functional characterization of a heteromeric NMDA receptor channel expressed from cloned cDNAs. Nature 357, 70–74 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1038/357070a0

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