NMDA受体亚单位NR2B的结构、功能特性及其表达与调控

NMDA受体是兴奋性氨基酸谷氨酸(Glu)的特异性受体,属配体门控离子通道,是由不同的亚单位组成.现已发现,NMDA受体至少存在7个亚单位(NR1,NR2A-D,NR3A-B),其中NR2B在7个亚单位中扮演非常重要的角色.近年来对NR2B研究表明,其在调控神经元突触的可塑性、学习与记忆以及治疗精神紊乱方面具有重要的意义.对近期有关NR2B亚单位的结构、功能特性及其表达与调控的研究进展做一综述.     

比较基因组学在哺乳动物进化研究中的应用

哺乳动物经过长期进化,使其基因组在结构和功能上存在着明显的差异,构成了表型进化的基础。随着人类、部分哺乳动物基因组测序的完成,以比较基因组学为主要研究手段的哺乳动物进化研究应运而生,从而为在基因组水平上深入认识哺乳动物进化关系、揭示生命的起源和进化提供依据。对比较基因组学的主要研究方法进行了综述,进而探讨其在哺乳动物进化研究中的应用,并对哺乳动物比较基因组学的发展进行了展望。     

科研人员研究发现NMDA受体NR2A亚基在癫痫病产生中的作用

癫痫病是常见的神经系统疾病,发病率约为1％-2％,尤其在儿童中发病率更高,15％以上有热惊厥史的儿童数月或数年后可以形成癫痫病灶。另外中风、外伤、脑炎等脑损伤也可导致癫痫病。癫痫具有反复性发作的临床特征,即在细胞水平上表现为大脑神经元超同步放电所引起的突然性、反复性、短暂性脑神经系统功能紊乱。     

癫痫大鼠海马NMDA受体亚基NR2A和BDNFmRNA水平的检测

目的通过锂一匹罗卡品癫痫模型（ithium—pilocarpine seizures rats model of epilepsy,LPS）,研究NMDA受体亚基NR2A、BDNF mRNA的表达,探讨NR2A、BDNF在LPS中的作用。方法建立氯化锂-匹罗卡品大鼠模型,运用原位杂交技术检测致痫后各组不同时间点海马CAI、CA3及DG区NR2A与BDNF mRNA的表达。结果LPS海马NR2A、BDNF mRNA在各观察时间点及部位模型组与正常对照组比较均有明显上调,且有显著统计学差异（P〈0．05）。模型组NR2A mRNA的表达上调7d达峰值（P〈0．05）;而BDNF mRNA表达上调14d达峰值。VPA干预组NR2A mRNA在大鼠海马不同时间及部位（除1d的CA3区）的表达较模型组明显下调（P〈0．05）;BDNF mRNA在大鼠海马不同时间及部位（除28d的DG区）的表达较模型组明显下调（P〈0．05）。结论锂－匹罗卡品腹腔注射可诱导大鼠海马NR2A和BDNF mRNA的表达明显上调;NR2A mRNA表达的增强可能是诱导调控BDNF mRNA表达增强的重要机制之一,说明NMDA受体亚基NR2A可能成为抑制癫痫发作的新靶点。     

生后发育过程中大鼠下丘脑NMDA受体各亚单位mRNA基因表达

中枢NMDA受体通道具有一种独特的门控方式,既受配基门控又受电压门控,而这种独特的门控通道又必须由各种亚单位形成的多样化的异寡聚体才具有一定的活性和功能.从胚胎形成到生后发育,中枢NMDA受体各亚单位及其所组成的异寡聚体具有各自不同的时空特性,其功能以及药理学特性也随发育过程而变化.本研究应用RT-PCR技术,研究在生后发育过程中听觉中枢神经系统下丘NMDA受体NR1、NR2A、NR2B和NR2CmRNA基因的表达,以期为在分子水平上揭示其在生后发育过程中的规律.     

NMDA受体与中枢神经系统的发育

离子型谷氨酸受体分为NMDA型和非NMDA型两类,其中NMDA型受体与中枢神经系统发育关系密切。本文综述了NMDA受体的分子特性及NMDA受体五种亚单位NR1、NR2A、NR2B、NR2C和NR2D在动物出生后脑内的时空表达;NMDA受体亚单位在发育中的作用以及NMDA受体活性的胞内调节机制。     

心脑佳配方对慢性酒精中毒大鼠学习记忆及海马NMDA受体亚基NR2B表达的影响

目的：研究心脑佳配方对慢性酒精中毒大鼠学习记忆及海马N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸（NMDA）受体2B亚基（NR2B）表达的影响。方法：建立大鼠慢性酒精中毒模型,分别检测学习与记忆成绩、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性和海马区NR2B mRNA表达。结果：学习记忆测试显示模型组大鼠学习记忆成绩比正常组明显下降（P〈0.01）,各用药组与模型组相比,学习记忆成绩明显上升（P〈0.05或P〈0.01）;模型组大鼠脑组织中SOD活性较正常组显著降低（P〈0.01）,而各用药组与模型组相比,脑组织中SOD活性显著升高（P〈0.05或P〈0.01）;PCR结果表明模型组大鼠海马区NR2B mRNA表达较正常组明显上升（P〈0.01）,各用药组与模型组相比,NR2B mRNA表达明显下降,差异有显著性（P〈0.01）。结论：心脑佳配方可能通过对NMDA受体亚基NR2B蛋白表达的调节而发挥抗酒精中毒作用。     

NMDA受体的结构及其生理作用

N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸（NMDA）受体是离子型兴奋性谷氨酸受体的一种亚型,生物体内已发现了3种NMDA受体亚基,且通过选择性剪接至少存在7种亚型,形成具有功能的多结合位点的大分子复合物。NMDA受体在中枢神经系统的突触传递、突触可塑性、学习记忆等生理过程中发挥着重要作用,且NMDA受体的异常会导致-些精神疾病及认知功能的障碍。     

NMDA受体与Ⅰ组代谢型谷氨酸受体的相互作用

谷氨酸是哺乳动物中枢神经系统重要兴奋性神经递质,参与学习、记忆、药物依赖成瘾及神经系统退行性疾病等多种病理生理过程。谷氨酸通过激活离子型（iGluRs）和代谢型谷氨酸受体（mGluRs）发挥作用。业已有研究提示iGluRs和mGluRs之间存在相互作用,但具体机制尚待阐明。本文从蛋白分子结构、突触可塑性、相互作用可能涉及的信号分子和通路等方面综述了NMDAR与Ⅰ组mGluRs之间的相互作用,旨在为深入研究谷氨酸受体之间的相互作用提供线索。     

单耳气传导阻滞对下丘脑NMDA受体各亚基mRNA基因表达的影响

Ｎ 甲基 Ｄ 门冬氨酸 (Ｎ ｍｅｔｈｙｌ Ｄ ａｓｐａｒｔａｔｅ,ＮＭＤＡ)受体是中枢兴奋性氨基酸中兴奋性极强的一种。它与神经系统的一些最重要功能如突触可塑性、学习记忆、再生修复等有密切关系。本研究采用研究者本人设计的大鼠单侧气传导持续阻滞模型 (单侧外耳道皮下缝合术 ) ,应用ＲＴ ＰＣＲ技术 ,研究环境变化对生后发育过程中听觉中枢神经系统下丘ＮＭＤＡ受体ＮＲ1、ＮＲ2Ａ、ＮＲ2Ｂ和ＮＲ2ＣｍＲＮＡ基因表达的影响 ,以期为在分子水平上揭示神经系统功能发育可塑性的本质提供依据。1　方法(1)样本制备　怀孕ＳＤ大鼠取自上海…     

Immunolocalization and Biochemical Characterization of N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptor Subunit NR1 from Rat Brain

The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunit NR1 gene can produce eight isoforms in rat brain. A novel methodology for purifying NMDA receptor NR1 subunit from rat brain is reported here using chicken polyclonal antibodies (IgYs) against synthetic peptides corresponding to N1, C1 and C2′ cassettes. The isolated protein was recognized by produced IgYs and commercial anti-NR1 IgGs, shown by MALDI-TOF MS a MW = 131,192 Da (glycosylated form); the enzymatically deglycosylated protein revealed a MW = 102,754 Da. The NMDA receptor NR1 subunit was characterized as being a heavily N-glycosylated protein. The isoelectric point was determined (6.3) as being different from that predicted for any of the isoforms (7.9–9.02). Attempts to separate the isoforms from the purified NR1 were unsuccessful, indicating the presence of just one isoform (NR1₁₁₁). Immunohistochemistry on hippocampus regions CA1, CA3 and Dentate gyrus with anti-N1, anti-N2 and anti-C2′ IgYs showed different staining intensity, depending upon the antibody assayed.     

Shuffling the Deck Anew: How NR3 Tweaks NMDA Receptor Function

The N-methyl-D: -aspartate (NMDA) receptors are the most complex members in the family of ionotropic glutamate receptors. They are involved in long-term potentiation and underlie higher cognitive functions like memory formation and learning. On the other hand, overstimulation of NMDA receptors (NMDARs), leading to a massive influx of Ca(2+) ions into the cell, is linked to neurodegenerative disorders such as for example Huntington's disease and epilepsy. NMDARs are generally considered to be heteromeric tetramers and are conventionally thought to assemble from NR1 splice variants and NR2 subunits, which determine crucial channel properties. With the recent discovery of the functionally different NR3 subunits, many of the known features of NMDARs are being reassessed: The presence of NR3 in NMDARs decreases Mg(2+) sensitivity and Ca(2+) permeability and reduces agonist-induced current responses. Between altering those essential key characteristics of conventional NMDARs and forming a new class of excitatory glycine receptors when coassembling with NR1, the NR3 subunits give rise to a functionally entirely new array of "NMDA" receptors. Understanding the multifaceted influence of NR3 is imperative to further the understanding of the complex role of NMDARs in neurotransmission and higher brain functions.     

Developmental and Regional Expression of NMDA Receptor Subtypes Containing the NR2D Subunit in Rat Brain

Abstract: The regional and developmental expression of NMDA receptors containing the NR2D subunit was analyzed on the level of the subunit mRNA and protein in rat brain. RNase protection experiments indicated that among two proposed splice variants of the NR2D subunit, only the NR2D-2 subunit is expressed. The regional distribution of the NR2D subunit protein was visualized with a newly developed NR2D-2 subunit-specific antiserum on brain sections using the histoblot technique. In adult brain, NR2D immunoreactivity was mainly restricted to diencephalic, mesencephalic, and brainstem structures. During postnatal development, the NR2D subunit was detected transiently in certain regions, such as the ventro-basal complex of the thalamus, hippocampus, inferior colliculus, and brainstem reticular formation, suggesting that NR2D subunit-containing receptors play a role in these brain areas only during development. The level of NR2D subunit mRNA and protein decreased during late postnatal development. However, significant levels of NR2D subunit mRNA and protein were present in adulthood, in particular, in the globus pallidus, thalamus, subthalamic nuclei, and superior colliculus. These results indicate a functional relevance for NMDA receptors containing the NR2D subunit in the developing and adult brain, although its expression in the adult brain is less prominent and restricted to a few brain areas.     

NMDA receptor NR2B subunit over-expression increases cerebellar granule cell migratory activity

Glutamate acting on NMDA receptors (NMDARs) is known to influence cerebellar granule cell migration. Subunit composition of NMDARs in granule cells changes characteristically during development: NR2B subunit containing receptors are abundant during migration towards the internal granule cell layer but are gradually replaced by NR2A and/or NR2C subunits once the final position is reached. Cerebellar granule cell migration was investigated using mutant mouse lines either with a deletion of the NR2C gene (NR2C^−/− mice) or expressing NR2B instead of the NR2C subunit (NR2C-2B mice). BrdU-labeling revealed that over-expression of NR2B increased granule cell translocation in vivo , while the lack of NR2C subunit did not have any detectable effects on cell migration. Cellular composition of wild-type and mutant dissociated cerebellar granule cell cultures isolated from 10-day-old cerebella were similar, but NR2C-2B cultures had elevated level of NR2B subunits and intracellular Ca²⁺ imaging revealed higher sensitivity towards the addition of NR2B-selective antagonist in vitro . Time-lapse videomicroscopic observations revealed that average migratory velocity and the proportion of translocating cell bodies were significantly higher in NR2C-2B than in wild-type cultures. Our results provide evidence that NR2B-containing NMDARs can have specialized roles during granule cell migration and can increase migratory speed.     

Ginsenoside Rc and Rg1 Differentially Modulate NMDA Receptor Subunit mRNA Levels after Intracerebroventricular Infusion in Rats

We investigated the influence of centrally administered ginsenoside on the regulation of mRNA levels of the family of NMDA receptor subtypes (NR1, NR2A, NR2B, NR2C) by in situ hybridization histochemistry in the rat brain. The ginsenosides Rc and Rg1, the major components of ginseng saponin, differentially modulate NMDA receptor subunit mRNA levels in rat brain following prolonged i.c.v.-infusion. Ginsenosides Rc or Rg1 (10 g/10 l/hr for 7 days) was infused through preimplanted cannulae connected to osmotic mini-pumps. The level of NR1 mRNA is significantly increased in temporal cortex, caudate putamen, hippocampus, and granule layer of cerebellum in Rg1-infused rats as compared to control group. The level of NR2A mRNA is elevated in the frontal cortex. In contrast, it was decreased in CA1 area of hippocampus in Rg1-infused rats. However, there was no significant change of NR1 and NR2A mRNA levels in Rc-infused rats. The level of NR2B mRNA is elevated in cortex, caudate putamen, and thalamus in both Rc- and Rg-infused rats. In contrast, NR2B level is decreased in CA3 in Rg1-infused rats. The level of NR2C mRNA is increased in the granule layer of cerebellum in only Rg1 but not Rc infused rats. These results show that structure difference of ginsenoside may diversely affect the modulation of expression of NMDA receptor subunit mRNA after infusion into cerebroventricle in rats.     

Changes in function of NMDA receptor NR2B subunit in spinal cord of rats with neuropathy following chronic ethanol consumption

Chronic ethanol consumption produces painful neuropathy for which there is no reliably successful therapy, largely due to a lack of understanding of the central mechanisms that underlie the development of the neuropathic pain-like state induced by chronic ethanol treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate what mechanisms contribute to the neuropathic pain-like state induced by chronic ethanol treatment in rats. Mechanical hyperalgesia was clearly observed during ethanol consumption and even after ethanol withdrawal, and lasted for 14 weeks. This hyperalgesia was significantly attenuated by repeated i.p. injection of ifenprodil, a selective NR2B subunit-containing NMDA receptor antagonist. Under these conditions, mRNA and protein levels of NR1, NR2A and NR2B subunits did not change in the spinal cord of chronic ethanol-fed rats. Interestingly, phosphorylated-Ser-1303 NR2B (p-Ser1303-NR2B) subunit was significantly increased in the spinal cord of chronic ethanol-fed rats, whereas p-Tyr1472-NR2B was not affected in the superficial spinal dorsal horn of ethanol-fed rats. These findings suggest that spinal p-Ser1303-NR2B plays a significant role in the development of the ethanol-dependent neuropathic pain-like state in rats.     

Comparative analysis of different competitive antagonists interaction with NR2A and NR2B subunits of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) ionotropic glutamate receptor

The antagonist-bound conformation of the NR2A and NR2B subunits of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) ionotropic glutamate receptor are modeled using the crystal structure of the DCKA (5,7-dichloro-kynurenic acid)-bound form of the NR1 subunit ligand-binding core (S1S2). Five different competitive NMDA receptor antagonists [(1) DL-AP5; (2) DL-AP7; (3) CGP-37847; (4) CGP 39551; (5) (RS)-CPP] have been docked into both NR2A and NR2B subunits. Experimental studies report NR2A and NR2B subunits having dissimilar interactions and affinities towards the antagonists. However, the molecular mechanism of this difference remains unexplored. The distinctive features in the antagonist's interaction with these two different but closely related (approximately 80% sequence identity at this region) subunits are analyzed from the patterns of their hydrogen bonding. The regions directly involved in the antagonist binding have been classified into seven different interaction sites. Two conserved hydrophilic pockets located at both the S1 and S2 domains are found to be crucial for antagonist binding. The positively charged (Lys) residues present at the second interaction site and the invariant residue (Arg) located at the fourth interaction site are seen to influence ligand binding. The geometry of the binding pockets of NR2A and NR2B subunits have been determined from the distance between the C-alpha atoms in the residues interacting with the ligands. The binding pockets are found to be different for NR2A and NR2B. There are gross dissimilarities in competitive antagonist binding between these two subunits. The binding pocket geometry identified in this study may have the potential for future development of selective antagonists for the NR2A or NR2B subunit.     

NMDA Receptor Heterogeneity During Postnatal Development of the Rat Brain: Differential Expression of the NR2A, NR2B, and NR2C Subunit Proteins

Abstract: Changes in the expression of the NMDA receptor subunits (NRs) NR2A, 2B, and 2C were investigated in histo blots of the developing rat brain with subunit-specific antisera. At birth, the NR2B subunit was detected almost ubiquitously, the NR2A subunit staining was faint and restricted to the hippocampus, cerebral cortex, and striatum, and no NR2C subunit immunoreactivity was detected. During the first 3 postnatal weeks, the NR2B subunit became confined to forebrain structures, whereas the NR2A immunoreactivity became abundantly expressed throughout the brain. The NR2C immunoreactivity emerged 5 days after birth in the olfactory bulb, thalamus, and vestibular nuclei and became very intense after 10 days in cerebellar granule cells, its primary site of expression in adulthood. After 3 weeks, NR2A and NR2B immunoreactivity decreased to adult levels, whereas NR2C immunoreactivity remained unchanged. The patterns of distribution of the subunit proteins were in agreement with those of their corresponding mRNAs, as monitored by in situ hybridization histochemistry, although the mRNA translation appeared to be delayed by several days in certain areas. Our results reveal a progressive increase in the heterogeneity of NMDA receptors due to the comparably late onset of NR2A and NR2C subunit expression and by the area-specific rearrangement of NR2B subunit expression following birth.