Presynaptic function of Kainate receptors Ionotropic activity of Kainate Receptors Activation of Kainate Receptors upon glutamate binding Authored: Mahajan, SS, 2010-01-15 Edited: Gillespie, ME, 2010-02-05 Kainate receptors are found both in the presynaptc terminals and the postsynaptic neurons. <br>Kainate receptor activation could lead to either ionotropic activity (influx of Ca2+ or Na+ and K+) in the postsynaptic neuron or coupling of the receptor with G proteins in the presynaptic and the postsynaptic neurons. <br>Kainate receptors are tetramers made from subunits GRIK1-5 or GluR5-7 and KA1-2. Activation of kainate receptors made from GRIK1 or KA2 release Ca2+ from the intracellular stores in a G protein-dependent manner. The G protein involved in this process is sensitive to pertussis toxin. Pubmed18793656 Reactome Database ID Release 43451326 Reactome, http://www.reactome.org ReactomeREACT_21312 Reviewed: Tukey, D, 2009-11-17 PathwayStep3364 PathwayStep3361