Understanding the processes that dictate the distribution, maintenance and dynamics of neurotransmitter receptors is of fundamental importance to the molecular basis of fast excitatory transmission and synaptic plasticity - functions of the brain that, when disrupted, are implicated in disorders such as epilepsy and Alzheimer´s disease.

AMPA receptors are one of the family of neurotransmitter receptors that bind to glutamate, the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS.

The response of a neuron to glutamate depends critically on the organised localisation of receptors in the post-synaptic membrane. Until recently it was thought that AMPA receptors in the post-synaptic membrane had a relatively slow turnover of hours to days. However, we have shown that certain AMPA receptors undergo cycles of removal and reinsertion that takes place on a timescale of minutes. We have shown that this cycling depends on the synaptic protein NSF.

Our work focuses on identifying and defining the importance of protein interactions that take place at AMPA, kainate, metabotropic and GABAB receptors.

Analysing such interactions involves biochemistry and molecular biology. Techniques include the extensive use of protein biochemistry, anti-peptide antibodies, general molecular biology and we have been very successful in utilising the technique of yeast two-hybrid analysis.

In addition, we are making increasing use of green fluorescent protein (GFP) technology and viral transfection techniques. These new approaches are allowing us to visualise the dynamics of receptor movement in living neurons in real time.

Hanley JG, Henley JM.(2005):PICK1 is a Calcium Sensor for NMDA-Induced AMPA Receptor Trafficking..EMBO J. 24:3266-78