In normal basepairing of DNA, the 2’-deoxyguanosine (dG) nucleotide will only pair with 2’-deoxycytidine (dC). Reactive oxygen species produced constantly by radiation, chemical carcinogens and as byproducts of respiration can oxidize the C8 position of dG, forming 8-oxo-2’-deoxyguanosine (OdG). OdG can then form stable base pairs with both dC and 2’-deoxyadenosine (dA). When a dA opposite OdG is replicated, it will be paired to dT rather than dG, causing a dG→dT mutation in the DNA code. These mutations have been linked to diseases such as arthritis, lupus and cancer.

Ionotropic glutamate receptors, a family of ligand gated ion channels, are located in the post-synaptic neural membrane and play important roles in the majority of fast excitatory neurotransmissions in the central nervous system. This family is comprised of three different subfamilies that each serve distinct roles at glutamatergic synapses. AMPA receptors mediate fast depolarization, NMDA receptors mediate the slower component of the excitatory postsynaptic potential, and kainate receptors have a major fast modulatory role at both presynaptic and postsynaptic sites.