The kainate receptor is a large membrane protein found in the brain of all vertebrates, including humans. This protein is one of a larger family of proteins called glutamate receptors that are implicated in a wide variety of normal physiological processes (e.g., transmission of information in the nervous system, learning and memory, control of cell death) as well as a number of pathological processes (e.g., epilepsy, alcohol abuse, and drug abuse). Kainate receptors are the most prevalent of the glutamate receptors and are found in particularly high numbers in the brains of lower vertebrates, such as fish. In order to understand in detail the function of the brain, we need to understand as much as possible about the functioning of the individual components, in particular those components are involved in the transmission of information. Recently, we have found that at least one type of kainate receptor in the brain of the goldfish transduces its information by interaction with another type of protein, known as a GTP binding protein or G protein. The purpose of this proposal is to study the interaction of this kainate receptor with G proteins and to produce cDNA clones coding for the receptor. The production of cDNA clones will allow us to determine that some aspects of the structure of the protein and may eventually allow us to produce the protein without the use of experimental animals. These studies should provide a better understanding of the structure and function of an important molecular component of the brain.
