when lesioning is done with other chemicals the subject can not relearn a task. However, due to Ibotenic acid's reactivity with glutamate receptors such as the NMDA receptor, Ibotenic acid lesioning does allow the subject to relearn tasks. Ibotenic acid lesioning is thus preferred in studies where re-learning a task after lesioning is essential. Compared to other lesioning agents, Ibotenic acid is one of the most site-specific; however, less-damaging alternatives are presently sought. Biosynthesis Ibotenic acid's biosynthetic genes are organized in a physically linked biosynthetic gene cluster. The biosynthetic pathway is initiated by hydroxylation of glutamic acid by a dedicated Fe(II)/2-oxoglutarate-dependent oxygenase. The reaction yields threo-3-hydroxyglutamic acid, which is converted into ibotenic acid, likely by enzymes encoded in the biosynthetic gene cluster. See also Conotoxin Grayanotoxin Quisqualic acid Tetrodotoxin References Toxic amino acids Psychedelic drugs Neurotoxins Mycotoxins found in Basidiomycota Prodrugs Isoxazoles Hydroxy acids AMPA receptor agonists GABAA receptor agonists GABAA-rho receptor agonists Kainate receptor agonists MGlu1 receptor agonists MGlu2 receptor agonists MGlu3 receptor agonists MGlu5 receptor agonists NMDA receptor agonists Excitotoxins Hydroxyarenes