Kainate receptors.

Paulo Pinheiro, Christophe Mulle
Cell Tissue Res. 2006-07-18; 326(2): 457-482
DOI: 10.1007/s00441-006-0265-6

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1. Cell Tissue Res. 2006 Nov;326(2):457-82. Epub 2006 Jul 18.

Kainate receptors.

Pinheiro P(1), Mulle C.

Author information:
(1)CNRS UMR 5091, Laboratoire « Physiologie Cellulaire de la Synapse », Bordeaux
Neuroscience Institute, University of Bordeaux, 33077 Bordeaux Cedex, France.

Kainate receptors form a family of ionotropic glutamate receptors that appear to
play a special role in the regulation of the activity of synaptic networks. This
review first describes briefly the molecular and pharmacological properties of
native and recombinant kainate receptors. It then attempts to outline the general
principles that appear to govern the function of kainate receptors in the
activity of synaptic networks under physiological conditions. It subsequently
describes the way that kainate receptors are involved in synaptic integration,
synaptic plasticity, the regulation of neurotransmitter release and the control
of neuronal excitability, and the manner in which they might play an important
role in synaptogenesis and synaptic maturation. These functions require the
proper subcellular localization of kainate receptors in specific functional
domains of the neuron, necessitating complex cellular and molecular trafficking
events. We show that our comprehension of these mechanisms is just starting to
emerge. Finally, this review presents evidence that implicates kainate receptors
in pathophysiological conditions such as epilepsy, excitotoxicity and pain, and
that shows that these receptors represent promising therapeutic targets.

DOI: 10.1007/s00441-006-0265-6
PMID: 16847640 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

Auteurs Bordeaux Neurocampus