Trafficking of NMDA receptors.

Authors :: Wenthold RJ
Prybylowski K
Standley S
Sans N
Petralia RS
Source :: Annual review of pharmacology and toxicology [Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol] 2003; Vol. 43, pp. 335-58. Date of Electronic Publication: 2002 Jan 10.
Publication Year :: 2003
Abstract: The NMDA receptor (NMDAR) plays a central role in the function of excitatory synapses. Recent studies have provided interesting insights into several aspects of the trafficking of this receptor in neurons. The NMDAR is not a static resident of the synapse. Rather, the number and composition of synaptic NMDARs can be modulated by several factors. The interaction of PDZ proteins, generally thought to occur at the synapse, appears to occur early in the secretory pathway; this interaction may play a role in the assembly of the receptor complex and its exit from the endoplasmic reticulum. This review addresses recent advances in our understanding of NMDAR trafficking and its synaptic delivery and maintenance.