Midterm 2 Content - Glutamate Receptors Flashcards
What is the membrane topology of an ionotropic glutamate receptor like? Name how regions are specific to certain types of glutamate receptors.
See notes for drawing; n = 4, tetramer
M2 is reentrant pore loop
M2-M3 is the pore lining domain
S1 and S2 are where ligands bind (can have coagonists)
N terminus is extracellular while C terminus is cytosolic
Q/R (RNA) editing: occurs at M2 pore, only with AMPA and Kainate
Flip/flop: occurs just before M4, only with AMPA
What channel did Armstrong et al (1998) study?
A S1S2 flop construct of an AMPA GluR2 subunit
What are key features of glutamate receptor agonists?
2 carboxyl groups
1 amine group
Overall negative charge
What is the charge composition of Kainate like?
2 negative and 1 positive
What are AMPA channels permerable to? What are agonists and antagonists?
Ca2+ impermeable but still permeable to Na+ and K+
Agonists
- AMPA
- Glutamate
- Kainate (partial agonst)
- Quisqualate
Antagonists:
- CNQX
- DNQX
- NBQX
What are agonists/antagonists of Kainate channels?
Agonists:
- Glutamate
- Kainate
- Domoate
- AMPA (only if GluK2 is present with GluK4/5)
Antagonists:
- CNQX
- DNQX
What is NMDA permeable to? What are agonists/antagonists
Ca2+, K+ and Na+ permeable
Agonists:
- Glutamate
- NMDA
- L-aspartic acid
- ESSENTIAL COAGONISTS: glycine or D-serine
Antagonists
- D-AP5
- Ketamine
- MK801
What is an example of a polyamine?
Spermine
–> causes channels to be more inwardly-rectifying
What RNA editing is present in AMPA receptors and what 3 key changes does it result in?
A posttranslational modification that occurs at the M2 reentrant pore loop of GluA2.
A glutamine (Q; CAG) is mutated to an arginine (R; CIG) at the Q/R site. This leads to…
1) Ca2+ impermability in AMPA receptors with a GluR2
2) Low channel conductance
3) Linear current-voltage relationship: less inward rectification than other GluA channels
What is alternative splicing like in glutamate receptors?
Modifying pre-mRNA constructs prior to translation; all glutamate receptors are alternatively spliced at the C terminus.
However, AMPA receptors can be alternatively spliced to either have “flip” or “flop” forms.
- Flip: desensitizes slower and less profoundly
- Flop: desensitizes faster and more profoundly
Why are NMDA receptors termed “coincidence receptors”?
In order to activate, need…
1) Agonist binding AND coagonist binding.
2) Depolarization to remove Mg2+ block. *Mg2+ hydration energy is high; plugs up pore effectively.
What was the construct made by Armstrong et al (1998)?
S1S2 GluR2 flop construct.
Cut GluR2 between the ATD and M2 to get S1, and between M2 and M4 to get S2.
Then attached them using a linker.
What shape does the GluR2 S1S2 and Kainate make? What is the structure like?
A clamshell that closes onto the coagonist.
The N-terminus of the GluR2 alpha helices point towards the interdomain crevice to interact with kainate or participate in interdomain interactions.
What are electrostatic (Salt-bridge) interactions?
Between side chains of oppositely charged residues
What are hydrogen bonds between?
Between the hydrogen attached to an electronegative atom and another electronegative atom.
What are alpha-helix dipole interactions between?
Between N and C termini
What are cation pi interactions between?
Positive charge and a pi electron cloud (created by aromatic residues like tyrosine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine)