Receptors for neuron communication in humans vital for reproduction in mosses

Receptors for neuron communication in humans vital for reproduction in mosses 07/26/2017 03:02 PM EDT Glutamate receptors, which play a central role in the human nervous system, have been thought to only function in neural transmission. However, they exist on many other human tissues, and in many species without nervous systems, including plants. A UMD-led study has shown that the glutamate receptor-like genes in the moss Physcomitrella patens are crucial for sexual reproduction, shedding light on a possible evolutionarily conserved, non-neural function for this family of genes. Full story at http://cmns.umd.edu/news-events/features/3926 Source University of Maryland This is an NSF News From the Field item.   Follow NSF:  This email was sent using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: National Science Foundation Update · 4201 Wilson Boulevard · Arlington, VA 22230 · 703-292-5111