COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR MODULATING NICOTINIC/NMDA RECEPTOR FUNCTION

摘要

The present invention provides a method for modulating nicotinic/NMDA receptor function in a mammal in need of such treatment comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that disrupts heterodimerization ofα7 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and N-methyl-D-asparate glutamate receptor. A polypeptide and fragments thereof comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the second intracellular loop of theα7 nAchR and carboxyl tail of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor are also provided, which are able to inhibit the heterodimerization. Also disclosed are nucleotide sequences encoding the polypeptides, and methods of inhibiting the heterodimerization ofα7 nAchR and NMDAR using the polypeptides and nucleic acids.