Study reveals structure of key brain receptors involved in memory and learning

Research published in Nature could transform structural biology, lead to new treatments for epilepsy

By Erik Robinson May 12, 2021 Portland, Oregon

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Eric Gouaux, Ph.D., investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and a senior scientist in the OHSU Vollum Institute. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Receptor revealed

Three-dimensional reconstruction of the hippocampal glutamate receptor ion channels (AMPARs), viewed parallel to the membrane. Auxiliary proteins TARP-8 and CNIH2 surround the receptor transmembrane domain (TMD) at distinct binding sites, poised to modulate receptor activity. The LBD is the region of the receptor that binds glutamate while the TMD forms the transmembrane, ion conducting pore. (OHSU)