Structural highlights
Function
[NMDZ1_RAT] NMDA receptor subtype of glutamate-gated ion channels possesses high calcium permeability and voltage-dependent sensitivity to magnesium. Mediated by glycine. Plays a key role in synaptic plasticity, synaptogenesis, excitotoxicity, memory acquisition and learning. It mediates neuronal functions in glutamate neurotransmission. Is involved in the cell surface targeting of NMDA receptors.[1] [NMDE1_RAT] NMDA receptor subtype of glutamate-gated ion channels possesses high calcium permeability and voltage-dependent sensitivity to magnesium. Activation requires binding of agonist to both types of subunits.
Publication Abstract from PubMed
NMDA receptors mediate excitatory synaptic transmission and regulate synaptic plasticity in the central nervous system, but their dysregulation is also implicated in numerous brain disorders. Here, we describe GluN2A-selective negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) that inhibit NMDA receptors by stabilizing the apo state of the GluN1 ligand-binding domain (LBD), which is incapable of triggering channel gating. We describe structural determinants of NAM binding in crystal structures of the GluN1/2A LBD heterodimer, and analyses of NAM-bound LBD structures corresponding to active and inhibited receptor states reveal a molecular switch in the modulatory binding site that mediate the allosteric inhibition. NAM binding causes displacement of a valine in GluN2A and the resulting steric effects can be mitigated by the transition from glycine bound to apo state of the GluN1 LBD. This work provides mechanistic insight to allosteric NMDA receptor inhibition, thereby facilitating the development of novel classes NMDA receptor modulators as therapeutic agents.
Structural Basis for Negative Allosteric Modulation of GluN2A-Containing NMDA Receptors.,Yi F, Mou TC, Dorsett KN, Volkmann RA, Menniti FS, Sprang SR, Hansen KB Neuron. 2016 Sep 3. pii: S0896-6273(16)30506-2. doi:, 10.1016/j.neuron.2016.08.014. PMID:27618671[2]
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
References
- ↑ Inanobe A, Furukawa H, Gouaux E. Mechanism of partial agonist action at the NR1 subunit of NMDA receptors. Neuron. 2005 Jul 7;47(1):71-84. PMID:15996549 doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2005.05.022
- ↑ Yi F, Mou TC, Dorsett KN, Volkmann RA, Menniti FS, Sprang SR, Hansen KB. Structural Basis for Negative Allosteric Modulation of GluN2A-Containing NMDA Receptors. Neuron. 2016 Sep 3. pii: S0896-6273(16)30506-2. doi:, 10.1016/j.neuron.2016.08.014. PMID:27618671 doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2016.08.014
