AMPA receptor


AMPA re·cep·tor

a type of glutamate receptor that participates in excitatory neurotransmission and also binds α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid and acts as a cation channel. Synonym(s): quisqualate receptor

AMPA receptor

A member of the ionotropic class of glutamate receptors (which includes NMDA and kainate receptors).
Functions
Mediate fast excitatory synaptic transmission in the CNS; play a key role in hippocampal synaptic long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD).
Structure
GluR1-4 subunits which assemble as homomers or heteromers to form functional AMPA receptors. The subunit composition determines the physiological properties of AMPA receptors: those with a GluR2 subunit have low permeability to Ca2+; those lacking a GluR2 subunit have high Ca2+ permeability.

AMPA receptor

Neurophysiology Any of a family of distinct ionotropic glutamate–excitatory post-synaptic receptors widely expressed in the CNS, which are the 1º memory receptors. See Excitatory amino acid receptor channel, Glutamate receptor.