NMDA Receptors Singled out for Delayed Activation

In this issue of Neuron, Amin et al. (2021) recorded single NMDA receptors in synaptic-like conditions to reveal how unreliable coupling between agonist binding and channel opening depends on structured linkers. After neurotransmitter binding, a complicated molecular discussion ensues, dividing fast synaptic events from delayed openings and failures.

Automated summary

In this study, Amin et al. (2021) examined the behavior of single NMDA receptors in synaptic-like conditions to show how the unreliable coupling between agonist binding and channel opening depends on structured linkers. They found that after neurotransmitter binding, a complex molecular discussion occurs, leading to a distinction between fast synaptic events and delayed openings and failures.