Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://doi.org/10.1124/mol.107.044115
Title: The NR1 M3 domain mediates allosteric coupling in the N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptor
Authors: Blanke, M.L.
VanDongen, A.M.J. 
Issue Date: Aug-2008
Citation: Blanke, M.L., VanDongen, A.M.J. (2008-08). The NR1 M3 domain mediates allosteric coupling in the N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptor. Molecular Pharmacology 74 (2) : 454-465. ScholarBank@NUS Repository. https://doi.org/10.1124/mol.107.044115
Abstract: N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors play a critical role in both development of the central nervous system and adult neuroplasticity. However, although the NMDA receptor presents a valuable therapeutic target, the relationship between its structure and functional properties has yet to be fully elucidated. To further explore the mechanism of receptor activation, we characterized two gain-of-function mutations within the NR1 M3 segment, a transmembrane domain proposed to couple ligand binding and channel opening. Both mutants (A7Q and A7Y) displayed significant glycine-independent currents, indicating that their M3 domains may preferentially adopt a more activated conformation. Substituted cysteine modification experiments revealed that the glycine binding clefts of both A7Q and A7Y are inaccessible to modifying reagents and resistant to competitive antagonism. These data suggest that perturbation of M3 can stabilize the ligand binding domain in a closed cleft conformation, even in the absence of agonist. Both mutants also displayed significant glutamate-independent current and insensitivity to glutamate-site antagonism, indicating partial activation by either glycine or glutamate alone. Furthermore, A7Q and A7Y increased accessibility of the NR2 M3 domain, providing evidence for intersubunit coupling at the transmembrane level and suggesting that these NR1 mutations dominate the properties of the intact heteromeric receptor. The equivalent mutations in NR2 did not exhibit comparable phenotypes, indicating that the NR1 and NR2 M3 domains may play different functional roles. In summary, our data demonstrate that the NR1 M3 segment is functionally coupled to key structural domains in both the NR1 and NR2 subunits. Copyright © 2008 The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.
Source Title: Molecular Pharmacology
URI: http://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/110644
ISSN: 0026895X
DOI: 10.1124/mol.107.044115
Appears in Collections:Staff Publications

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