Delineation of additional PSD-95 binding domains within NMDA receptor NR2 subunits reveals differences between NR2A/PSD-95 and NR2B/PSD-95 association

Neuroscience. 2009 Jan 12;158(1):89-95. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2007.12.051. Epub 2008 Jan 19.

Abstract

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are clustered at synapses via their association with the PSD-95 (post-synaptic density-95) membrane associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) family of scaffolding proteins. PSD-95 is the best characterized of this family. It is known to associate with NMDA receptor NR2 subunits via a conserved ES(E/D)V amino acid sequence located at their C-termini and thus to promote the clustering, regulation and the trafficking of assembled NR1/NR2 NMDA receptors at synapses. Here we have investigated in more detail NMDA receptor NR2/PSD-95 protein-protein association. Wild-type NR1 and PSD-95alpha were co-expressed with a series of rodent C-terminal truncated constructs of either NR2A or NR2B subunits in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells and the association of PSD-95alpha with assembled receptors determined by immunoprecipitation. Additional PSD-95 binding domains that differed between NR2A and NR2B subunits were identified. These domains mapped to the amino acid sequences NR2A (1382-1420) and NR2B (1086-1157). These results suggest that NR2A and NR2B may associate with PSD-95 but with different affinities. This may be important in the determination of the lateral mobility of NMDA receptor subtypes in post-synaptic membranes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence / physiology
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites / physiology
  • Cell Line
  • Disks Large Homolog 4 Protein
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / chemistry
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
  • Macromolecular Substances / chemistry
  • Macromolecular Substances / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protein Binding / physiology
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary / physiology
  • Protein Transport / physiology
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / chemistry
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / metabolism*
  • Rodentia
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Synapses / metabolism*
  • Synapses / ultrastructure
  • Synaptic Membranes / metabolism*
  • Synaptic Membranes / ultrastructure
  • Synaptic Transmission / physiology

Substances

  • DLG4 protein, human
  • Disks Large Homolog 4 Protein
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Membrane Proteins
  • NR2A NMDA receptor
  • NR2B NMDA receptor
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate