The function of ENSG00000171189 (GRIK1, glutamate ionotropic receptor kainate type subunit 1) is as follows. Ionotropic glutamate receptor that functions as a cation- permeable ligand-gated ion channel, gated by L-glutamate and the glutamatergic agonist kainic acid. L-glutamate acts as an excitatory neurotransmitter at many synapses in the central nervous system. Binding of the excitatory neurotransmitter L-glutamate induces a conformation change, leading to the opening of the cation channel, and thereby converts the chemical signal to an electrical impulse. The receptor then desensitizes rapidly and enters a transient inactive state, characterized by the presence of bound agonist. . [Isoform 2]: Ionotropic glutamate receptor that functions as a cation-permeable ligand-gated ion channel, gated by L-glutamate and the glutamatergic agonist kainic acid. .