A Family of AMPA-selective Glutamate Receptors

Four cloned cDNAs encoding 900-amino acid putative glutamate receptors with approximately 70 percent sequence identity were isolated from a rat brain cDNA library. In situ hybridization revealed differential expression patterns of the cognate mRNAs throughout the brain. Functional expression of the cDNAs in cultured mammalian cells generated receptors displaying alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA)-selective binding pharmacology (AMPA = quisqualate greater than glutamate greater than kainate) as well as cation channels gated by glutamate, AMPA, and kainate and blocked by 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX).