The relationship between four pharmacologically distinct NMDA receptor subtypes, identified in radioligand binding studies, and the recently identified NMDA receptor subunits (NR1a-g, NR2A-D) has not been determined. In this report, we demonstrate that the anatomical distribution of the four NMDA receptor subtypes strikingly parallels the distribution of mRNA encoding NR2A-D subunits. The distribution of NR2A mRNA was very similar to that of “antagonist-preferring” NMDA receptors [defined by high-affinity 3H-2-carboxypiperazine-4-yl-propyl- 1-phosphonic (3H-CPP) binding sites; correlation coefficient = 0.88]. Agonist-preferring NMDA receptors localized to brain regions expressing both NR2B mRNA and NR1- mRNA (NR1 splice variant lacking insert 1). NR2C mRNA was largely restricted to the cerebellar granule cell layer, a region that displays a unique pharmacological profile. NR2D mRNA localized exclusively to those diencephalic nuclei that have a fourth, distinct pharmacological profile (typified by the midline thalamic nuclei). The pharmacology of native NMDA receptors was compared to that of heteromeric NMDA receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes (NR1/NR2A, NR1/NR2B, NR1/NR2C). The oocyte-expressed NR1/NR2A receptor displayed a higher affinity for antagonists and a slightly lower affinity for agonists than the NR1/NR2B receptor. These patterns are analogous to those found for radioligand binding to native receptors in the lateral thalamus and medial striatum, respectively. NMDA receptors in the lateral thalamus (with a high density of NR2A subunit mRNA) displayed higher affinity for antagonists and a lower affinity for agonists than did NMDA receptors of the medial striatum (a region rich in NR2B mRNA). Relative to the NR1/NR2A and NR1/NR2B receptors, oocyte-expressed NR1/NR2C receptors had a lower affinity specifically for both D-3-(2- carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-1-propenyl-1-phosphonic acid (D-CPPene) and homoquinolinate (HQ). This pattern was identical to that observed for cerebellar (NR2C-containing) versus forebrain (NR2A- and NR2B- containing) NMDA receptors. Taken together, the data in this report suggest that the four previously identified native NMDA receptor subtypes differ in their NR2 composition. Furthermore, the NR2 subunits significantly contribute to the anatomical and pharmacological diversity of NMDA receptor subtypes.

2+ o ). NMDA receptor channel block by Mg

No abstract

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) from Torpedo electroplax is an oligomeric transmembrane glycoprotein made up of four highly homologous subunits in a stoichiometry of alpha 2 beta gamma delta. The role of N-linked glycosylation of the AChR has been studied in several cell lines and these studies have suggested that the addition of carbohydrate may be important for receptor expression. While Xenopus oocytes have proven to be an invaluable tool for studying the AChR, little is known about N-linked glycosylation of the oocyte-expressed receptor. The present report demonstrates that the oocyte-expressed AChR is glycosylated and contains the same number of oligosaccharide residues per subunit as the native receptor. However, unlike the native Torpedo receptor which contains both high mannose and complex oligosaccharides, the oocyte-expressed AChR contains only high mannose oligosaccharide modifications. However, as has been well documented, the Torpedo AChR expressed in oocytes is fully functional, demonstrating that the precise nature of the oligosaccharide modification is not critical for receptor function. The role of the oligosaccharide component of the AChR in receptor function was examined using tunicamycin (TM) to inhibit N-linked protein glycosylation. TM treatment resulted in a 70-80% inhibition of AChR expression in oocytes. Functional, unglycosylated receptors were not expressed; receptors expressed in TM-treated oocytes were functional wild-type, glycosylated AChR, formed only during the initial 12 hr of TM exposure. These data suggest that while glycosylation of the oocyte-expressed Torpedo AChR is required for assembly of subunits into a functional receptor, as has been demonstrated in other cells, oocyte modification of normal Torpedo glycosylation patterns does not affect receptor function or assembly.

No abstract