Glutamate receptors: variation in structure–function coupling

Fast excitatory synaptic transmission in the CNS relies almost entirely on the neurotransmitter glutamate and its family of ion channel receptors. An appreciation of the coupling between agonist binding and channel opening has advanced rapidly during the past five years, largely as a result of new structural information about the agonist-binding site. Recent studies suggest that despite many structural similarities different family members use different mechanisms to translate agonist binding into channel opening.