Glutamate receptor ionotropic NMDA type subunit 2C (GRIN2C) (GRIN2C)

The Glutamate receptor ionotropic NMDA type subunit 2C (GRIN2C) is a critical component of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor complex, a ligand-gated ion channel essential for excitatory neurotransmission in the mammalian central nervous system (UniProt: Q14957). Unlike other GluN2 subunits, GRIN2C is predominantly expressed in the cerebellum, where it plays a specialized role in motor coordination and synaptic integration (PubMed: 25339738). NMDA receptors containing the 2C subunit exhibit unique biophysical properties, including reduced sensitivity to magnesium blockade and lower single-channel conductance, which allow for distinct signaling profiles during low-frequency stimulation (NCBI Gene: 2905). Dysregulation or mutations in GRIN2C have been linked to various neuropsychiatric and neurological conditions, including schizophrenia, epilepsy, and neurodevelopmental delays (PubMed: 31630015). Pharmacologically, while many NMDA antagonists are non-selective, the 2C subunit is a target for developing subtype-specific modulators aimed at treating cognitive deficits and mood disorders with fewer side effects than broad-spectrum blockers (PubChem: 4054).

Other names

GluN2CNR2CN-methyl D-aspartate receptor subtype 2CNMDAR2CGlutamate [NMDA] receptor subunit epsilon-3

NMDA receptor subunits form heterotetrameric ion channels. Drugs targeting these receptors act as uncompetitive antagonists (pore blockers), competitive antagonists at the glutamate or glycine binding sites, or allosteric modulators that alter channel gating or affinity (PubMed: 25339738).