Ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) of the delta family (GluD1 and GluD2) and synaptogenesis

Glutamate delta-1 (GluD1) and glutamate delta-2 (GluD2) form the delta family of ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) and are distinct from other (iGluRs) in that they do not exhibit typical agonist-induced ion channel currents. Recent studies have demonstrated a crucial role of the delta receptors in synapse formation by interacting with presynaptic proteins such as Neurexin1. This review presents current knowledge regarding the expression, structure and function of Glu delta receptors (GluD1, GluD2) in brain, focusing on synapse formation, function and dysfunction.