AMPA receptor

The α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPA receptor, AMPAR, or quisqualate receptor) is an ionotropic glutamate receptor (iGluR) and predominantly sodium ion channel that mediates fast excitatory neurotransmission in the central nervous system (CNS). Its activation by the neurotransmitter glutamate facilitates rapid neuronal communication, essential for various brain functions, including learning and memory. Its name is derived from the ability to be activated by the artificial glutamate analog AMPA. The receptor was initially named the "quisqualate receptor" by Watkins and colleagues after the naturally occurring agonist quisqualate. Later, the receptor was designated as the "AMPA receptor" following the development of the selective agonist AMPA by Tage Honore and colleagues at the Royal Danish School of Pharmacy in Copenhagen. The GRIA2-encoded AMPA receptor ligand binding core (GluA2 LBD) was the first glutamate receptor ion channel domain to be crystallized.