Protein lifeguard 1 (GRINA)

Protein lifeguard 1 (GRINA) is a transmembrane protein, encoded by the GRINA gene, primarily involved in negative regulation of apoptosis, especially in neurons. Although its name and some aliases suggest a direct role as a glutamate receptor, GRINA is not itself an NMDA receptor subunit but rather a receptor-associated protein with structural similarity to other BAX inhibitor motif proteins, regulating calcium homeostasis and anti-apoptotic signaling. It is mostly localized to the Golgi membrane and endoplasmic reticulum, modulating cellular responses to stress and protecting against cell death. GRINA is broadly expressed, especially in the brain, and is associated with neurological diseases such as epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder, and schizophrenia. In schizophrenia, cross-reactivity with dietary gliadin and elevated GRINA autoantibodies has been reported, implicating the protein in neuroimmune interactions and neuroinflammation

Other names

Glutamate ionotropic receptor NMDA type subunit associated protein 1TMBIM3LFG1NMDARA1HNRGWGlutamate receptor, ionotropic, N-methyl D-aspartate-associated protein 1 (glutamate binding)Transmembrane BAX inhibitor motif-containing protein 3

None established (as a direct drug target)