The glutamatergic receptors play a pivotal role in the brain’s neuronal transmission. These receptors can be divided into two classes: 1) ionotropic and 2) metabotropic. The NMDA ionotropic receptor is a tetrameric or pentameric heteromeric complex that utilizes glutamate as a gatekeeper to control calcium influx. The metabotropic receptor is a single polypeptide that uses glutamate to stimulate signal transduction through G protein mediated pathways such as phospholipase C. The NMDA and metabotropic receptors are thought to be important in learning and memory. Both receptors have also been demonstrated to have important roles in the underlying strengthening of neuronal transmission in the hippocampus known as long term potentiation. Acute and chronic treatments with ethanol have effects on the NMDA receptor. Fetal exposure to ethanol has been suggested to have effects on NMDA and metabotropic receptors. Since these glutamatergic receptors are important in learning and memory and are impacted by exposure to ethanol, an understanding of these receptors may be important in the pathology of alcoholism.

Research in my laboratory currently involves studies in how both NMDA and metabotropic receptor classes participate in the acute and chronic effects of ethanol in the central nervous system. As there are no high affinity ligands available for either of these receptor systems, my studies utilize specific antibodies. The specificity of these antibodies can be used to determine not only how many receptors are present but how the different receptor subunits are associated, what is the stoichiometry of the receptor, and what is the phosphorylation status of these receptors. Experiments from my laboratory will help to define the role that glutamatergic receptors may play in alcoholism as well as provide information about fundamental questions of the NMDA receptor complex structure and metabotropic receptor signal transduction pathways.

Selected Publications:

• N'Gouemo P, Yasuda RP, Faingold CL: Protein expression of small conductance calcium-activated potassium channels is altered in inferior colliculus neurons of the genetically epilepsy-prone rat. Brain Res. 1270:107-11, 2009