FIGURE 5.

Schematic representation of GluN1 and GluN2 subunits of the NMDA receptor and the main antibody-binding site. Antibodies from patients with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis predominantly bind to an epitope region in the amino-terminal domain (ATD) of GluN1 that includes amino acids N368/G369 (106). This region is between a top and bottom lobe that confer a clamshell-like structure to the ATD. Point mutations at this region (N368/G369) abolish the reactivity of most patients' autoantibodies (106, 120). LBD, ligand binding domain; TMD, transmembrane domain; CTD, COOH-terminal domain.