Chemokine receptor CXCR2 regulates the functional properties of AMPA-type glutamate receptor GluR 1 in HEK cells

Experiments were conducted in both HEK cells and cerebellar neurons to investigate whether CXC chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2) is functionally coupled to GluR1. The co-expression of CXCR2 with GluR1 in HEK cells increased (i) the GluR1 "apparent" affinity for the transmitter; (ii) the GluR1 channel open probability; and (iii) GluR1 binding site cooperativity upon CXCR2 stimulation with CXC chemokine ligand 2 (CXCL2). The affinity of C-terminal-deleted GluR1 Col glutamate (Glu) remained stable instead. Furthermore. CXCL2 increased ate binding site cooperativity of aMPA receptors in rat cerebellar granule cells; and the amplitude of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic current (sEPSCs) in Purkinje neurons (PNs). Our findings indicate that the coupling of CXCR2 with GluR1 may modulate glutamatergic synaptic transmission. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.