Subtype-specific conformational landscape of NMDA receptor gating

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors are ionotropic glutamate receptors that mediate synaptic transmission and plasticity. Variable GluN2 subunits in diheterotetrameric receptors with identical GluN1 subunits set very different functional properties. To understand this diversity, we use single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) to measure the conformations of the ligand binding domain and modulatory amino-terminal domain of the common GluN1 subunit in receptors with different GluN2 subunits. Our results demonstrate a strong influence of the GluN2 subunits on GluN1 rearrangements, both in non-agonized and partially agonized activation intermediates, which have been elusive to structural analysis, and in the fully liganded state. Chimeric analysis reveals structural determinants that contribute to these subtype differences. Our study provides a framework for understanding the conformational landscape that supports highly divergent levels of activity, desensitization, and agonist potency in receptors with different GluN2s and could open avenues for the development of subtype-specific modulators. [Display omitted] •smFRET reveals conformational differences between NMDA receptors with different GluN2s•Low-Po receptors are more splayed at rest and more compact when fully agonized•Interaction between the GluN1 LBD and GluN2 NTD contributes to these differences Bleier et al. use single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) in NMDA receptors to compare conformations and rearrangements of receptor subtypes with different GluN2 subunits. They find that low-open-probability receptors are more splayed and dynamic at rest, more compact when fully agonized, and show distinct subunit interactions.