Glutamate Kainate Receptor (KAR)

Glutamate kainate receptors (KARs) are a subfamily of ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) that mediate fast excitatory neurotransmission in the central nervous system. They are tetrameric ligand-gated ion channels activated by glutamate and composed of GluK1-5 subunits. KARs are found both pre- and postsynaptically, modulating neurotransmitter release and synaptic plasticity. They are implicated in various neurological and psychiatric disorders including epilepsy, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and autism spectrum disorder.

Other names

Kainate ReceptorKainate-selective glutamate receptorGluK1 receptorGluK2 receptorGluK3 receptorGluK4 receptorGluK5 receptorGluR5 receptorGluR6 receptorGluR7 receptorKA1 receptorKA2 receptor

Ligand-gated ion channel activation; modulation of ion flow and neuronal excitability