谷氨酸受体是哺乳动物大脑中主要的兴奋性神经递质受体，在各种正常的神经生理过程中被激活。该基因产物属于海藻酸钠谷氨酸受体家族，由4个亚单位组成，具有配体激活离子通道的功能这个基因编码的亚单位是否像其他两个家族成员（GRIK1和GRIK2）一样接受RNA编辑还不确定ser310ala基因多态性与精神分裂症有关，而且关于它与酗酒者震颤性谵妄发病机制的报道也不尽一致。[由RefSeq提供，2008年7月]
Glutamate receptors are the predominant excitatory neurotransmitter receptors in the mammalian brain and are activated in a variety of normal neurophysiologic processes. This gene product belongs to the kainate family of glutamate receptors, which are composed of four subunits and function as ligand-activated ion channels. It is not certain if the subunit encoded by this gene is subject to RNA editing as the other 2 family members (GRIK1 and GRIK2). A Ser310Ala polymorphism has been associated with schizophrenia, and there are conflicting reports of its association with the pathogenesis of delirium tremens in alcoholics. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]