Receptor for glutamate that functions as a ligand-gated ion channel in the central nervous system and plays an important role in excitatory synaptic transmission. L-glutamate acts as an excitatory neurotransmitter at many synapses in the central nervous system. Binding of the excitatory neurotransmitter L-glutamate induces a conformation change, leading to the opening of the cation channel, and thereby converts the chemical signal to an electrical impulse. The receptor then desensitizes rapidly and enters a transient inactive state, characterized by the presence of bound agonist. In the presence of CACNG4 or CACNG7 or CACNG8, shows resensitization which is characterized by a delayed accumulation of current flux upon continued application of glutamate (By similarity). Through complex formation with NSG1, GRIP1 and STX12 controls the intracellular fate of AMPAR and the endosomal sorting of the GRIA2 subunit toward recycling and membrane targeting (By similarity).
Subcellular locations: Cell membrane, Endoplasmic reticulum membrane, Postsynaptic cell membrane, Postsynaptic density membrane
Interaction with CACNG2, CNIH2 and CNIH3 promotes cell surface expression (By similarity). Displays a somatodendritic localization and is excluded from axons in neurons (By similarity).