AMPA receptors are ionotropic glutamate receptors that mediate excitatory synaptic transmission.1,2 They are tetrameric protein complexes expressed throughout the CNS in both neurons and glia that are assembled from combinations of GluR1, GluR2, GluR3, and GluR4, also known as GluR-A-D, subunits, each of which has extracellular N-terminal and ligand-binding domains, a channel domain consisting of three membrane-spanning helices and a channel pore loop, and an intracellular C-terminus.1,3,4,5 GluR1 and GluR2 are predominantly expressed in the forebrain with low levels of GluR3 and GluR4, and pyramidal neurons express AMPA receptors primarily comprised of heterotetramers of GluR1 and GluR2 subunits. GluR2 is encoded by GRIA2 and regulates AMPA receptor calcium permeability, assembly, trafficking, and single channel conductance.1,6 It undergoes RNA editing at position 586, the Q/R site, to introduce an arginine residue that renders GluR2 subunit-containing AMPA receptors impermeable to calcium.1,6,7 Motor neurons isolated from Gria2-deficient mouse embryos exhibit increased calcium influx and increased susceptibility to AMPA receptor-mediated excitotoxicity.7 Heterozygous knockdown of Gria2 accelerates motor neuron degradation and decreases lifespan in the SOD1G93A transgenic mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. GRIA2 expression is reduced in postmortem hippocampus from patients with chronic schizophrenia.8 Cayman's GluR2 Polyclonal Antibody can be used for Western blot (WB) applications. The antibody detects GluR2 at approximately 100 kDa from rat samples.WARNING This product is not for human or veterinary use.
