This gene encodes a subunit of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, which is a subtype of ionotropic glutamate receptor. NMDA receptors are found in the central nervous system, are permeable to cations and have an important role in physiological processes such as learning, memory, and synaptic development. The receptor is a tetramer of different subunits (typically heterodimer of subunit 1 with one or more of subunits 2A-D), forming a channel that is permeable to calcium, potassium, and sodium, and whose properties are determined by subunit composition. Alterations in the subunit composition of the receptor are associated with pathophysiological conditions such as Parkinsons disease, Alzheimers disease, depression, and schizophrenia. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Jun 2013],function:NMDA receptor subtype of glutamate-gated ion channels with high calcium permeability and voltage-dependent sensitivity to magnesium. Mediated by glycine.,similarity:Belongs to the glutamate-gated ion channel (TC 1.A.10) family.,subunit:Interacts with PDZ domains of INADL and DLG4 (By similarity). Forms heteromeric channel of a zeta subunit (GRIN1), a epsilon subunit (GRIN2A, GRIN2B, GRIN2C or GRIN2D) and a third subunit (GRIN3A or GRIN3B).,tissue specificity:Mainly in brain with predominant expression is in the cerebellum, also present in the hippocampus, amygdala, caudate nucleus, corpus callosum, subthalamic nuclei and thalamus. Detected in the heart, skeletal muscle and pancreas.,
