GluR4

GluR4 is a subunit of the AMPA receptor, a type of ionotropic glutamate receptor that plays a crucial role in excitatory neurotransmission in the central nervous system. Specifically, GluR4 is a member of the glutamate receptor 4 family. Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, and AMPA receptors are responsible for mediating fast excitatory synaptic transmission. GluR4 subunits combine with other AMPA receptor subunits, such as GluR1, GluR2, and GluR3, to form functional tetrameric receptors. The specific combination of subunits determines the receptor's biophysical and pharmacological properties, including its ion permeability and sensitivity to various modulators.

GluR4-containing AMPA receptors are known to exhibit calcium permeability, meaning they can allow calcium ions to pass through the cell membrane when activated. This calcium influx can trigger downstream signaling pathways that are important for processes like synaptic plasticity, which underlies learning and memory. Expression patterns of GluR4 vary across different brain regions and developmental stages, suggesting its involvement in specific neuronal circuits and functions. Research into GluR4 has contributed to our understanding of normal brain function and the pathophysiology of neurological disorders where glutamatergic signaling is altered, such as epilepsy and neurodegenerative diseases.