Skip to main content

Glutamate receptors

Learn about ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptor subgroups. Find glutamate receptor agonists and antagonists that could help you to...
Last edited Fri 13 May 2016

Metabotropic and ionotropic subgroups

L-Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian CNS. ​It acts through ligand gated ion channels (ionotropic receptors) and G-protein coupled (metabotropic) receptors. These receptors are involved in excitatory synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity which are thought to underlie learning and memory. Glutamate uptake in the CNS is mediated by high-affinity, sodium-dependent excitatory amino acid transporters (EAAT1-5).

Metabotropic receptor family subgroups
Ionotropic receptor family subgroups

References and recommended resources from our technical team

Chen et al. Pharmacological insights obtained from structure-function studies of ionotropic glutamate receptors. BJP 147:839-853 (2006). Read more (PubMed: 16474411) »

Collingridge et al. A nomenclature for ligand-gated ion channels. Neuropharmacology 56:2-5 (2009). Read more (PubMed: 18655795) »

Kew JN et al. Ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptor structure and pharmacology. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 179(1):4-29 (2005). Read more (PubMed: 15731895) »

Schoepp et al. Pharmacological agents acting at subtypes of metabotropic glutamate receptor. Neuropharmacology 38:1431-1476 (1999). Read more (PubMed: 10530808) »

Trist et al. Excitatory amino acids agonists and antagonists: pharmacology and the therapeutic applications. Pharmaceutical Acta Helvetiae 74:221-229 (2000). Read more (PubMed: 10812962) »