Gene GRIK2
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Also known as
EAA4, GLR6, GLUK6, GLUR6, GluK2, MRT6, NEDLASOverview
GRIK2 (glutamate receptor, ionotropic, kainate 2) is a gene that codes for the kainate type of ionotropic glutamate receptor 2 (GRIK2), also known as GluK2. This gene is part of a family of ionotropic glutamate receptors, which are responsible for the majority of fast synaptic excitation in the brain. These receptors play a key role in the regulation of the central nervous system by modulating the flow of ions, particularly calcium, across the cell membrane in response to the neurotransmitter glutamate.
The kainate receptors, of which GRIK2 is a member, are activated by the neurotransmitter glutamate, which is involved in many important brain functions such as memory, learning, and synaptic plasticity. Kainate receptors are less common and less well-understood than the AMPA and NMDA receptors, but they are thought to play a role in regulating the strength of synaptic connections between neurons.
Studies have suggested that variations in the GRIK2 gene may be associated with an increased risk of certain neurological and psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. The GRIK2 gene has also been linked to the development of certain neurological disorders such as epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease, as well as addiction and alcoholism.
It is also worth mentioning that GRIK2 is a target for some drugs such as kainate receptor agonists and antagonists, which modulate the activity of this receptor. These drugs are being developed as potential treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders.