Abstract
Glutamate is by far the most abundant neurotransmitter used by excitatory synapses in the vertebrate central nervous system. Once released into the synaptic cleft, it depolarises the postsynaptic membrane and activates downstream signalling pathways resulting in the propagation of the excitatory signal. Initial depolarisation is primarily mediated by α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate (AMPA) receptors. These ion channels are the first ones to be activated by released glutamate and their kinetics, dynamics and abundance on the postsynaptic membrane defines the strength of the postsynaptic response. This review focuses on native AMPA receptors and synaptic environment they inhabit and considers structural and functional properties of the receptor obtained in heterologous systems in the light of spatial and temporal constrains of the synapse.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 108711 |
Number of pages | 24 |
Journal | Neuropharmacology |
Volume | 196 |
Early online date | 13 Jul 2021 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 15 Sep 2021 |
Keywords
- AMPA receptors
- synapse
- synaptic dimensions
- presynaptic proteins
- postsynaptic proteins