Ionotropic glutamate receptor
Ionotropic Glutamate Receptor
The Ionotropic Glutamate Receptor (pronunciation: /aɪˌɒnəˈtrɒpɪk ˈɡluːtəmeɪt rɪˈsɛptər/), often abbreviated as iGluR, is a type of glutamate receptor that operates through an associated ion channel.
Etymology
The term "Ionotropic" is derived from the Greek words "ion" (ἰόν), meaning "going", and "tropos" (τρόπος), meaning "a turning". "Glutamate" is derived from the Latin "glutinare", meaning "to glue together". The term "receptor" is derived from the Latin "receptare", meaning "to receive".
Function
Ionotropic glutamate receptors are responsible for the fast excitatory synaptic transmission in the central nervous system (CNS). They are activated by the neurotransmitter glutamate, which opens an ion channel that allows ions such as Na+, K+, and sometimes Ca2+ to flow across the cell membrane.
Types
There are three main types of ionotropic glutamate receptors:
- AMPA receptors (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors)
- Kainate receptors
- NMDA receptors (N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors)
Each type is named after the agonist that is used to activate it.
Related Terms
- Neurotransmitter
- Synaptic transmission
- Central nervous system
- AMPA receptor
- Kainate receptor
- NMDA receptor
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ionotropic glutamate receptor
- Wikipedia's article - Ionotropic glutamate receptor
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