Glutamate receptor ionotropic, NMDA subunit 2C (GluN2C)

Glutamate receptor ionotropic, NMDA subunit 2C (GluN2C) is a protein component of the NMDA receptor, a ligand-gated ion channel critical for excitatory neurotransmission in the central nervous system. This subunit is encoded by the GRIN2C gene and, together with GluN1, forms heterotetrameric NMDA receptors that confer distinct biophysical properties, including unique gating characteristics, sensitivity to magnesium block, and pharmacological modulation. GluN2C-containing receptors are less permeable to calcium and exhibit lower sensitivity to magnesium compared to GluN2A/B containing receptors. These subunits are predominantly expressed in the cerebellum and thalamus, playing crucial roles in synaptic plasticity, learning, memory, and motor coordination. Dysregulation of GluN2C is implicated in neuropsychiatric, neurodegenerative, and motor disorders. Selective pharmacological modulation of GluN2C holds therapeutic potential but remains challenging due to limited specificity of current drugs.

Other names

NR2CGluN2CN-methyl D-aspartate receptor subtype 2CGlutamate receptor subunit epsilon-3GRIN2C

Channel blockade by uncompetitive antagonists (e.g. ketamine, memantine); Allosteric modulation (e.g. positive modulators such as PYD-106); Reduction/enhancement of receptor activity at glutamate-binding site