Glutamate receptors are the predominant excitatory neurotransmitter receptors in the mammalian brain and are activated in a variety of normal neurophysiologic processes. Grik2, also known as glutamate receptor 6, belongs to the kainate family of glutamate receptors, which are composed of four subunits and function as ligand-activated ion channels.  Recent reports have suggested that defects in the Grik2 protein may be associated with autosomal recessive mental retardation and possibly other neurological disorders such as schizophrenia.   Numerous isoforms of Grik2 are known to exist and may be subject to RNA editing within the second transmembrane domain, which is thought to alter the properties of ion flow.  This Grik2 antibody may exhibit some cross-reactivity to Grik3.