Functional expression of the alpha 1 subunit of the AMPA-selective glutamate receptor channel, using a baculovirus system.

Using a baculovirus expression vector system, the alpha 1 subunit of the mouse AMPA (alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate)-selective glutamate receptor channel was expressed in insect Spdoptera frugiperda cells. Binding studies using [3H]AMPA showed that insect cells infected with the recombinant virus expressed approximately 1.8 x 10(5) binding sites per cell on their surface. The ligand binding characteristics of the receptors expressed in insect cells were examined. The baculovirus-insect cell expression system affords high-efficiency expression of the receptor in sufficient amounts to permit structural and functional analyses.