Glutamate receptor ionotropic, NMDA 2B (NR2B) (NR2B)

The NR2B-containing N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor is a specific subtype of ionotropic glutamate receptor primarily composed of GluN1 and GluN2B subunits. These receptors are ligand-gated ion channels that mediate a slow, calcium-permeable component of excitatory synaptic transmission and are essential for synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory (UniProt Q13224). In the adult brain, NR2B expression is highly localized to the forebrain, particularly the hippocampus and cortex, making it a precise target for neurological interventions (PubMed: 11520916). Dysregulation of NR2B signaling is implicated in various pathologies; overactivation contributes to excitotoxic neuronal death in stroke and Alzheimer's disease, while altered expression is linked to major depressive disorder and chronic pain (PubMed: 25135315). Pharmacologically, NR2B-selective negative allosteric modulators, such as ifenprodil and its derivatives, have been investigated for their ability to provide neuroprotection and rapid antidepressant effects (PubMed: 29108535). These selective agents aim to offer therapeutic benefits with fewer dissociative side effects compared to non-selective NMDA antagonists like ketamine. Consequently, this receptor remains a high-priority target for developing treatments for treatment-resistant depression and neurodegenerative conditions.

Other names

GRIN2BGluN2BN-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 2BNMDAR2BGlutamate [NMDA] receptor subunit epsilon-2

Negative allosteric modulation of the NMDA receptor complex