Quisqualic acid (kwɪsˈkwɑːlɪk ˈæsɪd) is a chemical compound found in certain plants, including the seeds of the species Quisqualis indica. The word "Quisqualic" is derived from the genus name of the plant and "-ic" suffix which denotes a chemical compound. The word is spelled phonetically as "kwis-kwol-ik" with emphasis on the first and third syllables. The spelling follows English conventions for Latin-based words with a "qu" digraph denoting the /kw/ sound and the final "-ic" corresponding to the suffix "-icus" in Latin.
Quisqualic acid is a natural compound that belongs to the class of compounds known as excitatory amino acids. It was first isolated from the plant Quisqualis indica and is known for its potent excitatory effects on the central nervous system.
As an agonist of certain types of glutamate receptors, quisqualic acid binds to these receptors and stimulates them, resulting in the activation of signal transduction pathways. This leads to an increase in excitatory neurotransmission, primarily by promoting the release of glutamate, the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain.
Due to its ability to activate glutamate receptors, quisqualic acid has been extensively used in scientific research to study the physiological and pharmacological properties of these receptors. This compound has been particularly useful in investigating the role of glutamate and its receptors in various physiological processes, including learning and memory, synaptic plasticity, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Notably, quisqualic acid is known to have high affinity for a specific type of glutamate receptor called the AMPA receptor. This receptor subtype is involved in fast excitatory synaptic transmission and plays a critical role in the regulation of synaptic plasticity and learning. By studying the effects of quisqualic acid on AMPA receptors, researchers have gained important insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes.
In summary, quisqualic acid is a natural compound with potent excitatory effects on the central nervous system. It acts as an agonist of glutamate receptors, particularly the AMPA receptor, and has been valuable in the study of various brain functions and diseases related to glutamate neurotransmission.
The word "quisqualic acid" is derived from the Latin word "quisquiliae", meaning "refuse" or "trifles", and the suffix "-ic" denoting its acidic nature. The acid was named in reference to its initial discovery from Quisqualis indica, a climbing plant native to Southeast Asia, which is also known as Rangoon creeper. The plant's seeds contain the compound, and thus it was named "quisqualic acid" to reflect its source and nature.