Organization, control and function of extrasynaptic NMDA receptors

• Published in: Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B. Biological sciences Vol. 369; no. 1654; p. 20130601
• Main Authors: Papouin, Thomas, Oliet, Stéphane H. R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England The Royal Society 19.10.2014; Royal Society, The
• Subjects: Animals; Astrocytes - metabolism; Astrocytes - physiology; d-serine; Excitotoxicity; Glycine; Humans; Life Sciences; Long-Term Potentiation - physiology; Long-Term Synaptic Depression - physiology; Neurons and Cognition; Neurotoxins - metabolism; NMDA receptors; Plasticity; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate - agonists; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate - metabolism; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate - physiology; Review; Serine; Signal Transduction - physiology; plasticity; NMDA receptors; excitotoxicity; glycine; d-serine
• ISSN: 0962-8436; 1471-2970
• DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2013.0601

N-methyl d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) exist in different forms owing to multiple combinations of subunits that can assemble into a functional receptor. In addition, they are located not only at synapses but also at extrasynaptic sites. There has been intense speculation over the past decade about whether specific NMDAR subtypes and/or locations are responsible for inducing synaptic plasticity and excitotoxicity. Here, we review the latest findings on the organization, subunit composition and endogenous control of NMDARs at extrasynaptic sites and consider their putative functions. Because astrocytes are capable of controlling NMDARs through the release of gliotransmitters, we also discuss the role of the glial environment in regulating the activity of these receptors.