Dissecting diverse functions of NMDA receptors by structural biology

Wang, J. X., Furukawa, H. (January 2019) Dissecting diverse functions of NMDA receptors by structural biology. Curr Opin Struct Biol, 54. pp. 34-42. ISSN 0959-440x

Abstract

N-Methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are glutamate-gated ion channels, which are critically involved in brain development, learning and memory, cognition, as well as a number of neurological diseases and disorders. Structural biology of NMDARs has been challenging due to technical difficulties associated with assembling a number of different membrane protein subunits. Here, we review historical X-ray crystallographic studies on isolated extracellular domains, which are still the most effective mean to delineate compound binding modes, as well as the most recent studies using electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM). A number of NMDAR structures accumulated over the past 15 years provide insights into the hetero-tetrameric assembly pattern, pharmacological specificities elicited by subtypes and alternative splicing, and potential patterns of conformational dynamics; however, many more important unanswered questions remain.

Item Type: Paper
Subjects: bioinformatics
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics
Investigative techniques and equipment
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > protein structure, function, modification
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > organs types and functions > brain
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > protein structure, function, modification > protein types > ion channel
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > organs types and functions
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > protein structure, function, modification > protein types
Investigative techniques and equipment > x ray crystallography
CSHL Authors:
Communities: CSHL labs > Furukawa lab
School of Biological Sciences > Publications
Depositing User: Matthew Dunn
Date: 28 January 2019
Date Deposited: 04 Feb 2019 20:55
Last Modified: 05 Feb 2024 20:56
PMCID: PMC6592722
Related URLs:
URI: https://repository.cshl.edu/id/eprint/37680

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