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glutamate ionotropic receptor NMDA type subunit 2B

The GRIN2B gene provides instructions for making a protein called GluN2B. This protein is found in nerve cells (neurons) in the brain, primarily during development before birth. The GluN2B protein is one component (subunit) of a subset of specialized protein structures called NMDA receptors. There are several types of NMDA receptors, made up of different combinations of proteins.

Normal function

The GRIN2B gene provides instructions for making a protein called GluN2B. This protein is found in nerve cells (neurons) in the brain, primarily during development before birth. The GluN2B protein is one component (subunit) of a subset of specialized protein structures called NMDA receptors. There are several types of NMDA receptors, made up of different combinations of proteins.

NMDA receptors are glutamate-gated ion channels. When brain chemicals called glutamate and glycine attach to the receptor, a channel opens, allowing positively charged particles (cations) to flow through. The flow of cations activates (excites) neurons to send signals to each other. The cation flow also plays a role in the process by which the neurons mature to carry out specific functions (differentiation). NMDA receptors are involved in normal brain development, changes in the brain in response to experience (synaptic plasticity), learning, and memory.

Conditions referring to this gene or chromosome

Other names

GluN2B

glutamate [NMDA] receptor subunit epsilon-2

glutamate receptor ionotropic, NMDA 2B precursor

glutamate receptor subunit epsilon-2

glutamate receptor, ionotropic, N-methyl D-aspartate 2B

hNR3

N-methyl D-aspartate receptor subtype 2B

NMDAR2B

NR2B

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Further reading and references

Article history

The information on this page is written and peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.
  • 18 Aug 2020 | Latest version
  • 1 Sept 2018 | Originally published

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