Recombinant Human GRIA3 protein

The GRIA3 gene encodes the GluA3 subunit of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors, a class of ionotropic glutamate receptors critical for fast excitatory synaptic transmission in the central nervous system. These receptors mediate the majority of rapid neurotransmission and play essential roles in synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. GRIA3-derived GluA3 forms tetrameric ligand-gated ion channels, typically in combination with other AMPA receptor subunits (GluA1-4), to regulate calcium permeability and channel kinetics. Dysregulation of GluA3 has been implicated in neurological disorders, including epilepsy, intellectual disability, and neuropsychiatric conditions like schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders.

Recombinant GRIA3 protein refers to the purified GluA3 subunit produced through heterologous expression systems (e.g., HEK293 or insect cells) using genetic engineering techniques. This approach enables controlled production of functional domains or full-length proteins with post-translational modifications resembling native forms. Researchers commonly employ recombinant GRIA3 to study receptor assembly, ligand-binding mechanisms, and subunit-specific contributions to synaptic physiology. It serves as a vital tool for structural studies (e.g., X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM), drug discovery targeting AMPA receptors, and functional assays exploring receptor trafficking or allosteric modulation. The protein's availability has advanced understanding of glutamate receptor biology and pathophysiological mechanisms, particularly in diseases associated with GRIA3 mutations or altered expression. Recent studies also utilize recombinant GluA3 to develop subtype-selective therapeutics and investigate mechanisms of receptor endocytosis in neurodegenerative contexts.