Modulation of ionotropic glutamate receptor channels

Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. It acts at ligand-gated cationic channels (NMDA, AMPA and kainate receptors) and at G protein-coupled metabotropic glutamate receptors as well. The glutamatergi c transmission is suggested to be involved in development, learning and mem ory. Its dysfunction can be detected in epilepsy, stroke, neurodegenerative disorders and drug abuse. This paper summarizes the present knowledge on t he modulation of glutamate-gated ion channels in the central nervous system by phosphorylation. An inhibitory interaction between adenosine A(2A) rece ptors and NMDA receptors in the neostriatum is described as an example, med iated by the phospholipase C/inositol trisphosphate/calmodulin and calmodul in kinase II pathway.