Role of kainate receptors in olfactory learning

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Excitatory synapses release glutamate acting on three subtypes of ionotropic glutamate receptors: NMDA-, AMPA- and kainate receptors. Virtually all fast excitatory postsynaptic currents studied so far in the central nervous system are mediated by the AMPA and NMDA subtypes of receptors. Surprisingly, despite extensive analysis of their structure, biophysical properties and anatomical distribution, a functional role for KARs in the brain has not yet been determined. High amounts of 3Hkainate binding sites are found in the superficial layers of the pirifom cortex. In addition, mRNA mapping studies revealed highest expression levels for the subunit genes GluK1, GluK2 and GluK5 within the piriform cortex. In the present proposal we will study the role of kainate receptors within the pirifom cortex, which has a pivotal function in olfactory learning.