# Gating Mechanism of NMDA receptors

> **NIH NIH R01** · STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO · 2021 · $347,915

## Abstract

Abstract
NMDA receptors play critical roles during the normal development and function of central synapses. Mutant
receptors were recently identified in patients with neurologic and psychiatric conditions and were found to be
causal to the diagnosed dysfunctions. The long-term objective of this project is to correlate functional receptor
states postulated by the established kinetic mechanism with structural conformations. Specifically, the two aims
proposed here will integrate molecular dynamics simulations and electrophysiological measurements to
delineate plausible conformations for the adult NMDA receptor isoform in closed and open conformations and
for a series of rationally-targeted and naturally occurring, pathologic NMDA receptor mutants. Results will
elucidate the NMDA receptor gating reaction and the mechanism by which single-residue substitutions change
structure and cause dysfunction.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10166970
- **Project number:** 5R01NS108750-03
- **Recipient organization:** STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO
- **Principal Investigator:** Gabriela K Popescu
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $347,915
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-06-15 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10166970

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10166970, Gating Mechanism of NMDA receptors (5R01NS108750-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10166970. Licensed CC0.

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