Abstract

FOUILLIOUX, C et al. Receptores de glutamato: Implicaciones terapéuticas. AVFT [online]. 2004, vol.23, n.2, pp.99-108. ISSN 0798-0264.

Glutamate, one of the most prevailing neurotransmitters on the nervous system, acts on specific receptors on the neuronal membrane where exerts an excitatory action. The glutamate receptors had been classified in two main groups: ionotropic and metabotropic receptors. The NMDA receptor is a highly regulated and very complex protein. Its high Ca²⁺ conductance is maybe the most meaningful characteristic and also responsible for many functions. Different combinations of the fundamental subunit NR1 with others subunits give place for others NMDA receptors with different attributes, with possible distinct localizations and that may define different physiological responses. Glutamate receptors have been found in the Central Nervous System, pancreas, pituitary, adrenal glands and gonads. In pancreas, it was shown that GluR1 and GluR4 are distributed on insulin secretor cells on the central mass of pancreatic islets. There are glutamate receptors also in osteoclasts and osteoblasts, which may play a role in the development of osteoporosis. Given the main participation of glutamate on neurotransmission and several pathologies, many clinical studies had evaluated drugs mainly glutamate ionotropic antagonists with promising results in pain, depression and Parkinson’s disease.

Keywords : Glutamate receptors; Ionotropic and metabotropic; Neurodegeneration; Pain; Stroke.