Molecular cloning, functional expression, and pharmacological characterization of an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit from human brain

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1993 Jun 1;90(11):5057-61. doi: 10.1073/pnas.90.11.5057.

Abstract

A cDNA encoding a full-length N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunit 1, hNR1, was isolated from a human brain cDNA library. The hNR1 cDNA encodes an open reading frame of approximately 2.7 kb that shares high homology with the rat brain NMDA receptor subunit 1 and the mouse zeta 1 subunit. The hNR1 sequence, however, diverges from the rodent and murine homologs near the C terminus, suggesting that they represent alternatively spliced messages of the same gene. Oocytes injected with cRNA synthesized from the hNR1 cDNA express glutamate and NMDA-activated currents in the presence of glycine. Currents are blocked by the NMDA-receptor-specific antagonists 2-amino-5-phosphovaleric acid and 7-chlorokynurenate, and the open channel blockers MK-801 and phencyclidine, by Mg2+ ions in a voltage-dependent manner, and by Zn2+. Expressed hNR1 homomeric receptor channels exhibit the high Ca2+ permeability characteristic of neuronal NMDA receptors. Therefore, the cDNA clone hNR1 codes for a human brain NMDA receptor subunit cognate to the rodent and murine brain NR1 subunits.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • 2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate / pharmacology
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA / isolation & purification
  • Dizocilpine Maleate / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Frontal Lobe / metabolism*
  • Gene Library
  • Glutamates / pharmacology
  • Glutamic Acid
  • Glycine / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Ibotenic Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • Ibotenic Acid / pharmacology
  • Kainic Acid / pharmacology
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • N-Methylaspartate / pharmacology
  • Oocytes / drug effects
  • Oocytes / physiology
  • Quisqualic Acid / pharmacology
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / drug effects
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / genetics*
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / physiology*
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Xenopus laevis
  • alpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic Acid

Substances

  • Glutamates
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Ibotenic Acid
  • Glutamic Acid
  • N-Methylaspartate
  • Dizocilpine Maleate
  • 2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate
  • alpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic Acid
  • Quisqualic Acid
  • DNA
  • Kainic Acid
  • Glycine

Associated data

  • GENBANK/L05666