TABLE 2. Ionotropic glutamate receptors: NMDAa

Subunit

Channel assembly

Characteristics

NMDAR1

Homomeric or

heteromeric

Seven splice variants

NMDAR1A-G

NMDAR2

Heteromeric only

Four splice variants

NMDAR2A-D increases current when assembled with NMDAR1

a NMDA receptors are characterized by high Ca2+ permeability and voltage-sensitive Mg2+ blockade which are mediated by an asparagine residue in the second transmembrane domain in a homologous location to the Q/R site in AMPA/ KA receptors. NMDAR1 corresponds to NR1 or z1 in mouse; NMDAR2 corresponds to NR2 or e1-e4.
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published 2000