AMPAR structure and subunit composition
All AMPAR subunits consist of highly homologous extra-
cellular and transmembrane regions, but vary in their
intracellular C-terminal domains. The GluA1, GluA4,
and an alternatively spliced form of GluA2 (GluA2L)
contains long C-terminal domains, whereas the GluA2,
GluA3, and an alternatively spliced form of GluA4
(GluA4S) have shorter C-terminal domains (Figure 1).
Expression of these subunits is developmentally
regulated and is region-specific. The C-termini of
AMPAR subunits contains multiple regulatory elements
that are subjected to various post-translational modifi-
cations, including protein phosphorylation, palmitoyla-
tion, and ubiquitination. They also interact with
scaffold proteins that bind signaling molecules as well
as cytoskeletal proteins. Hence, the C-terminal domains
of these subunits are crucial for the regulation of AMPAR
function, including channel gating, trafficking, and stabil-
ization at synapses [1,2].
AMPARs are assembled as two identical heterodimers
with GluA1/2 being the most predominant AMPAR sub-
type in hippocampal pyramidal neurons, followed by
GluA2/3 heteromers [3 ? ]. The presence of GluA2 subunit
has a profound impact on the biophysical property of
AMPAR heteromeric complexes such that the GluA2-
containing AMPARs are Ca 2+ -impermeable with linear
current–voltage relationship while GluA2-lacking recep-
tors are Ca 2+ -permeable and have an inwardly rectifying
current–voltage relationship. The subunit composition of
AMPARs also governs the rules of AMPAR trafficking.
The long-tailed AMPARs are important for the activity-
dependent insertion of AMPARs to synapses during
synaptic strengthening, such as LTP, whereas the