Title: NMDA
CAS Registry Number: 6384-92-5
CAS Name: N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid
Synonyms: N-methyl-D-aspartate;
N-methyl-D-asparaginsaure (German)
Molecular Formula: C5H9NO4
Molecular Weight: 147.13
Percent Composition: C 40.82%, H 6.17%, N 9.52%, O 43.50%
Literature References: Excitotoxic amino acid used to identify a specific subset of excitatory amino acid receptors; consequently the receptors are known as NMDA receptors.
See also quisqualic acid, kainic acid. Prepn: O. Lutz,
Z. Physiol. Chem. 70, 256 (1909); O. Lutz, Br. Jirgensons,
Ber. 63, 448 (1930). Isoln from the blood shell,
Scapharca broughtonii: M. Sato
et al., Biochem. J. 241, 309 (1987). Identification as a neuroexcitant: D. R. Curtis, J. C. Watkins,
J. Physiol. 166, 1 (1963); of neurotoxic properties: J. W. Olney
et al., Life Sci. 25, 537 (1979); R. Zaczek
et al., Neurosci. Lett. 24, 181 (1981); M. V. Sofroniew, R. C. A. Pearson,
Brain Res. 339, 186 (1985). Receptor binding studies: C. K. Mitchell, D. A. Redburn,
Neurosci. Lett. 28, 241 (1982); D. T. Monaghan, C. W. Cotman,
J. Neurosci. 5, 2909 (1985); J. M. M. Olson
et al., Neuroscience 22, 913 (1987). Review of NMDA and its receptor: J. C. Watkin, R. H. Evans,
Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 21, 165-204 (1981); T. W. Stone, N. R. Burton,
Prog. Neurobiol. 30, 333-368 (1988).
