Cellular Regulation of Glutamate Receptors in Central Neurons

Our brain houses the network of 10 billion neurons, and glutamate is the major neurotransmitter mediating rapid and excitatory synaptic transmission. Interestingly, glutamate receptor channels travel between intracellular compartments in response to various extracellular stimulations. Changes in the levels or localization of glutamate receptor profoundly affect synaptic activity and signal transduction. Neurological disorders, such as schizophrenia, depression and stroke, result from aberrant glutamate signaling in certain brain regions. Therefore, research on glutamate receptor is of particular interest in understanding brain function under normal and pathological conditions. This book dissects three cellular aspects of how glutamate receptors are modulated in cortical neurons: neuromodulator-mediated signaling, cytoskeleton-based delivery of ion channels and protease-dependent degradation of receptors. Knowledge here may shed light on identifying new drug targets for treating brain disorders that associated with impaired glutamate system.