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GluN3A NMDA receptor subunits: more enigmatic than ever?
Author(s) -
Crawley Oliver,
CondeDusman María J.,
PérezOtaño Isabel
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1113/jp280879
Subject(s) - nmda receptor , neuroscience , excitatory postsynaptic potential , protein subunit , glutamate receptor , biology , receptor , synaptic plasticity , synapse , perspective (graphical) , structural plasticity , biochemistry , computer science , inhibitory postsynaptic potential , artificial intelligence , gene
Non‐conventional N ‐methyl‐ d ‐aspartate receptors (NMDARs) containing GluN3A subunits have unique biophysical, signalling and localization properties within the NMDAR family, and are typically thought to counterbalance functions of classical NMDARs made up of GluN1/2 subunits. Beyond their recognized roles in synapse refinement during postnatal development, recent evidence is building a wider perspective for GluN3A functions. Here we draw particular attention to the latest developments for this multifaceted and unusual subunit: from finely timed expression patterns that correlate with plasticity windows in developing brains or functional hierarchies in the mature brain to new insight onto presynaptic GluN3A‐NMDARs, excitatory glycine receptors and behavioural impacts, alongside further connections to a range of brain disorders.