(+)-cis-2-Aminomethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid

(+)-cis-2-Aminomethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid (also known as AMPA) is a synthetic amino acid and a key compound in the field of neuroscience and pharmacology. It is most commonly recognized for its role as a specific agonist for the AMPA receptor, a type of ionotropic glutamate receptor in the brain.

Chemistry

The chemical structure of (+)-cis-2-Aminomethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid consists of a cyclopropane ring, with an amino group (NH2) attached to one carbon and a carboxylic acid group (COOH) attached to another. The (+)-cis configuration refers to the spatial arrangement of these groups around the cyclopropane ring.

Pharmacology

In pharmacology, (+)-cis-2-Aminomethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid is used as a specific agonist for the AMPA receptor. An agonist is a substance that can bind to a receptor and activate it to produce a biological response. In this case, when (+)-cis-2-Aminomethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid binds to the AMPA receptor, it mimics the action of the neurotransmitter glutamate, which is the natural ligand for this receptor.

Neuroscience

The AMPA receptor is one of the three main types of ionotropic glutamate receptors in the brain, alongside the NMDA receptor and the kainate receptor. These receptors are crucial for neurotransmission, synaptic plasticity, and the formation of memory and learning. Therefore, compounds like (+)-cis-2-Aminomethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid that can selectively activate these receptors are valuable tools in neuroscience research.

See also

• AMPA receptor
• Glutamate receptor
• Neurotransmission
• Synaptic plasticity