Neuron
Volume 98, Issue 6, 27 June 2018, Pages 1080-1098
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Review
Glutamatergic Signaling in the Central Nervous System: Ionotropic and Metabotropic Receptors in Concert

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Glutamate serves as both the mammalian brain’s primary excitatory neurotransmitter and as a key neuromodulator to control synapse and circuit function over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. This functional diversity is decoded by two receptor families: ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) and metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). The challenges posed by the complexity and physiological importance of each of these subtypes has limited our appreciation and understanding of how these receptors work in concert. In this review, by comparing both receptor families with a focus on their crosstalk, we argue for a more holistic understanding of neural glutamate signaling.

Keywords

glutamate receptor
iGluR
mGluR
neurotransmitter
neuromodulation
synapse
synaptic plasticity
receptor crosstalk
ion channel
G protein-coupled receptor
optogenetics

Cited by (0)

3

These authors contributed equally