Biology of AMPA receptor interacting proteins - From biogenesis to synaptic plasticity.

AMPA-type glutamate receptors mediate the majority of excitatory synaptic transmission in the central nervous system. Their signaling properties and abundance at synapses are both crucial determinants of synapse efficacy and plasticity, and are therefore under sophisticated control. Unique to this ionotropic glutamate receptor (iGluR) is the abundance of interacting proteins that contribute to its complex regulation.

Gating and modulation of a hetero-octameric AMPA glutamate receptor.

AMPA receptors (AMPARs) mediate the majority of excitatory transmission in the brain and enable the synaptic plasticity that underlies learning. A diverse array of AMPAR signalling complexes are established by receptor auxiliary subunits, which associate with the AMPAR in various combinations to modulate trafficking, gating and synaptic strength. However, their mechanisms of action are poorly understood.