Glutamate receptor ionotropic, NMDA 2B (GluN2B) (GluN2B)

GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors are a specific class of ionotropic glutamate receptors that play a pivotal role in the central nervous system's excitatory signaling [UniProt: Q13224]. These receptors are heterotetramers typically composed of two GluN1 subunits and two GluN2B subunits, predominantly localized in the forebrain, including the cortex and hippocampus [PMID: 29033238]. They are essential mediators of synaptic plasticity, long-term potentiation (LTP), and long-term depression (LTD), which underlie the processes of learning and memory formation [PMID: 30104301]. Dysregulation of GluN2B signaling is implicated in various neurological and psychiatric conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease and major depressive disorder [PMID: 28416495]. Overactivity of these receptors can lead to glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity, contributing to neuronal death in ischemic stroke and neurodegenerative diseases [PMID: 25605371]. Pharmacological targeting of the GluN2B subunit, particularly through negative allosteric modulators like ifenprodil, aims to achieve therapeutic efficacy in pain and mood disorders [DrugBank: DB04743]. This subunit-specific approach is designed to minimize the severe dissociative and psychotomimetic side effects associated with non-selective NMDA receptor antagonists like ketamine [PMID: 29033238]. Current research also explores GluN2B as a target for managing chronic pain and Parkinson's disease-related dyskinesia [PMID: 26339137].

Other names

NR2BGRIN2BN-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 2BGlutamate [NMDA] receptor subunit epsilon-2NMDAR2B

Negative allosteric modulation of the NMDA receptor complex, specifically targeting the GluN2B subunit to inhibit ion channel activity without complete blockade [PMID: 30104301].