Glutamate receptors are the predominant excitatory neurotransmitter receptors in the mammalian brain and are activated in a variety of normal neurophysiologic processes. This gene product belongs to the kainate family of glutamate receptors, which are composed of four subunits and function as ligand-activated ion channels. The subunit encoded by this gene is subject to RNA editing (CAG->CGG; Q->R) within the second transmembrane domain, which is thought to alter the properties of ion flow. Alternative splicing, resulting in transcript variants encoding different isoforms, has been noted for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]
Forensic Context
A study in humans demonstrated that the GRIK1 exhibited differential expression in the cerebellum, mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus, and striatum compared to other brain regions, though its expression in the hippocampus showed no significant change between controls, alcoholics, and cocaine addicts [Enoch et al. DOI:10.1111/Gbb.12179]. In mice, peripheral nerve injury led to a significant downregulation of the GRIK1 in injured dorsal root ganglia [Wu et al. DOI:10.1177/1744806916629048].