Ionotropic glutamate receptor. L-glutamate acts as an excitatory neurotransmitter at many synapses in the central nervous system. Binding of the excitatory neurotransmitter L-glutamate induces a conformation change, leading to the opening of the cation channel, and thereby converts the chemical signal to an electrical impulse. The receptor then desensitizes rapidly and enters a transient inactive state, characterized by the presence of bound agonist. May be involved in the transmission of light information from the retina to the hypothalamus.Ana V. Paternain, J. Neurosci., Jan 2000; 20: 196.Zhao Ren, J. Biol. Chem., Dec 2003; 278: 52700 - 52709.MICHAEL A. ROGAWSKI, Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., Apr 2003; 985: 150.Yoshinori Sahara, J. Neurosci., Sep 1997; 17: 6611.