Glutamate receptor ionotropic, NMDA 2D (GluN2D)

The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 2D (GluN2D) is a protein encoded by the GRIN2D gene that serves as a regulatory component of the ionotropic NMDA receptor complex [UniProt: O15399]. It is distinct from other NMDA subunits due to its specific expression in the basal ganglia, thalamus, and brainstem, and its unique kinetic properties, including slow deactivation rates and reduced sensitivity to magnesium-mediated channel blockade [PubMed: 27129537]. GluN2D plays a critical role in modulating synaptic plasticity and the fine-tuning of excitatory signaling within subcortical circuits [NCBI: Gene ID 2906]. Mutations in the GRIN2D gene are clinically significant, often resulting in severe early-onset epileptic encephalopathies and developmental delays [PubMed: 27545904]. Although it represents a promising therapeutic target for neurological and psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease, the development of effective treatments is hindered by the difficulty of achieving subunit-selective modulation to prevent adverse effects like dissociation and cognitive blunting [PubMed: 21953151].

Other names

GRIN2DN-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 2DNR2DNMDA receptor subunit 2DGluR epsilon-4NMDAR2D

Non-competitive channel blockade, allosteric modulation, and competitive antagonism at the glutamate or glycine binding sites.