Expression and localization of NMDA receptor GluN2 subunits in dorsal horn pain circuits across sex, species, and late postnatal development.

ABSTRACT: Despite being essential mediators of pain processing, the molecular identity of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) subtypes in nociceptive dorsal horn circuits is poorly understood, especially between sexes and in humans. Given the importance of GluN2 subunits in shaping NMDAR function and plasticity, we investigated the expression and localization of specific GluN2 NMDAR variants in the dorsal horn of viable spinal cord tissue from male and female rodents and human organ donors. Analysis of single-cell/nuclei sequencing datasets revealed that the GluN2A (GRIN2A) and GluN2B (GRIN2B) subunits are robustly expressed in dorsal horn neurons of both mice and humans, with moderate expression of GluN2D (GRIN2D) and minimal expression of GluN2C (GRIN2C). Immunohistoc

SUBMITTER: Armstrong J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12633401 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature