Glutamate ionotropic receptor AMPA type subunit alpha

The "Glutamate ionotropic receptor AMPA type subunit alpha" refers to the **AMPA receptor subunits** (GluA1, GluA2, GluA3, GluA4), which are integral membrane proteins forming a class of ligand-gated ion channels in the central nervous system[1][4][5]. These subunits coassemble as tetramers to form the **AMPA receptor**, the primary mediator of **fast excitatory neurotransmission** in the mammalian brain[1][2][4]. Upon binding glutamate, the receptor undergoes conformational change that opens a central cation-conducting pore, principally allowing the passage of sodium (Na⁺) and, in some configurations, calcium (Ca²⁺)[1][3][6]. AMPA receptors are essential to synaptic plasticity mechanisms such as long-term potentiation and depression, and play a key role in learning and memory[5]. Dysfunction or altered regulation of AMPA receptors has been linked to numerous neurological and psychiatric diseases, including epilepsy, neurodegeneration, and cognitive disorders[5][6]. Several drugs (notably perampanel) target AMPA receptors for therapeutic purposes, usually as antagonists or negative modulators to reduce overexcitation seen in epilepsy and other CNS diseases[5]. Each subunit is encoded by a distinct gene (GRIA1–4); the alpha/α designation generically refers to any of the subunits, but is not standard nomenclature—each subunit should be specified as Glutamate ionotropic receptor AMPA type subunit 1 (GluA1), etc.[1][3]. **Note on correctness:** The term "Glutamate ionotropic receptor AMPA type subunit alpha" is not the canonical or specific standard molecular name, but appears to be a generic or composite. Each AMPA receptor subunit should be described as "Glutamate ionotropic receptor AMPA type subunit 1 (GluA1)" or similar for subunits 2–4[1][3]. Thus, "is_incorrect" is true in strict nomenclature.

Other names

GluA1GluA2GluA3GluA4GluR1GluR2GluR3GluR4GRIA1GRIA2GRIA3GRIA4AMPA receptor subunit alpha-1/2/3/4AMPAR subunitα-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor subunit

Noncompetitive antagonism (blockers of AMPA receptor action such as perampanel); Competitive antagonism (e.g., CNQX, NBQX); Negative allosteric modulation; Inhibition of ion channel conductance