N-甲基-D-天氡氨酸受体的分子结构与生理功能

Molecular structure and physiological function of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor

N-甲基-D-天氡氨酸(NMDA)受体是离子型谷氨酸受体的一种亚型,在中枢神经系统的突触传递和突触可塑性调节中起着重要的作用。延长NMDA受体活动时间将导致兴奋毒性。NMDA受体是一个具有多个结合位点的大分子复合物,其生理特性同异聚体通道的装配密切相关。NMDA受体的异常会导致一些认知功能的缺失,这为治疗性药物开发提供了靶点。

Glutamate receptors of the N-methyl-D-aspartate （NMDA） subtype are highly expressed in the central nervous system and are involved in excitatory synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity. Prolonged activation of NMDA receptors can lead to excitotoxicity. These receptors are heteromeric ion channels and their activation requires binding of glycine and glutamate to the NR1 and NR2 subunits, respectively. NMDA receptor function is characterized by slow channel opening and deactivation and the resulting influx of cations initiates signal transduction cascades that are crucial to higher functions including learning and memory. NMDA receptors possess several binding sites that, when activated by the appropriate pharma.cological substances, can influence the receptors＇ function. Pathological changes will lead to losing of some cognitive functions that gives the target for the developing of medicine.