AMPA receptors and the 4.1 protein family: Defining the interaction.
AMPA receptors have a fundemental role in neuronal and synaptic physiology. The 4.1 family is important in the correct targeting and delivery of AMPA receptors to neuronal membranes. Despite sequence conservation in 4.1 we hypothesis that individual members of the 4.1 family have specific functional roles and interactions. We are systematically examining the direct interaction of individual 4.1 family members (and their subdomains) with individual AMPA receptor subunits. The results will clarify both the specificity and the site of interaction for both proteins families.