receptor in HEK cells, pinpointing the sequence determining this effect. CNQX is known to be a selective competitive antagonist for both AMPA receptors, which have an IC50 value of 400 nM, and kainate receptors, which have an IC50 value of 4 µM. It also noncompetitively inhibits NMDA receptors. CNQX is thus used to isolate GABAA receptor mediated spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents. The actions of CNQX on the frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents are independent of their actions at ionotropic glutamate receptors. Although the EC50 value of CNQX on the frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents is similar to the IC50 value on kainate receptors, the blockade of kainate receptors is not responsible for the actions of CNQX. NBQX is a quinoxaline derivative that is known to be more effective than CNQX in blocking kainate receptors, but there was not a large increase in the frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents. Additionally, CNQX’s effects were not replicated by kynurenate (glutamate receptor antagonist) or NS-102 (selective kainate receptor blocker) since there was no increase in the frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents. Furthermore, D-AP5 and 7-CIK did not affect the frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents, proving that the action of NMDA receptors do not account for the effects of CNQX. See also Quinoxalinedione References Further reading External links Chemical structure AMPA receptor antagonists Kainate receptor antagonists Nitriles Nitro compounds NMDA receptor antagonists Quinoxalines Lactams