Unique Biology and Single-Channel Properties of GluN2A- and GluN2C-Containing Triheteromeric N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptors

Abstract

Triheteromeric N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are assemblies of two different types of GluN2 subunits that endow receptors with properties distinct from their diheteromeric counterparts. Previous studies show an abundance of triheteromeric NMDARs across the central nervous system (CNS), making them an important receptor population to investigate and potential drug target. A recent study by Bhattacharya et al. (1) demonstrated the prevalence of GluN1/GluN2A/GluN2C triheteromeric NMDARs in cerebellar granule cells (CGCs), (2) suggested that GluN2C subunits seldom express as diheteromers, (3) suggested that GluN2A subunits are the preferred partners for GluN2C to functionally express at the cell surface, and (4) revealed unique single-channel properties of these triheteromeric assemblies, which may enable these cells to perform unique tasks. Taken together, this work demonstrates the physiological existence of GluN1/GluN2A/GluN2C receptors in the CGCs.