Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors

AJ Doherty, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
GL Collingridge, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK

Published online: April 2001

DOI: 10.1038/npg.els.0000237

The metabotropic glutamate receptors are a family of G protein-coupled receptors widely distributed in the central nervous system, acting to modulate synaptic function through interactions with other receptors, signalling mechanisms and (potentially) gene expression.

Keywords: metabotropic glutamate receptor; mGluR; excitory amino acid; LTP; LTD

Figure 1. Comparison of the structures of the metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptor, mGlu1, and the 2-adrenergic receptor. Schematic representations of the structure of these receptors as representatives of their respective superfamilies are presented. The locations of the ligand-binding domains and the G protein-coupling sites are indicated, as is the region of the mGlu1 receptor containing the Homer-binding domain and the calmodulin-binding domains in other subtypes. Also indicated on the mGlu1 receptor are the locations of mutations S165 and T188 (marked with an X) that reduce the affinity of the receptor for glutamate.
Figure 2. Dendrogram of the cloned members of the metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptor family. The diagram represents the sequence homology between members of the mGlu receptor family. The receptors are subdivided into the three groups on the basis of sequence homology, signal transduction mechanism (+ PLC, stimulation of phospholipase C; –AC, inhibition of adenylyl cyclase) in heterologous expression systems, and pharmacology.
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 References
    Bortolotto ZA, Bashir ZI, Davies CH and Collingridge GL (1994) Metabotropic glutamate receptors activate a molecular switch which regulates the induction of long-term potentiation. Nature 368: 740–743.
    Chen Y, Bacon G, Sher E et al. (2000) Evaluation of the activity of a novel metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist (+/–)-2-amino-2-(3-cis and trans-carboxycyclobutyl-3-(9-thioxanthyl)propionic acid) in the in vitro neonatal spinal cord and in an in vivo pain model. Neuroscience 95: 787–793.
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    Kingston AE, O’Nell MJ, Bond A et al. (1999) Neuroprotective actions of novel and potent ligands of group I and group II metabotropic glutamate receptors. New York Academy of Sciences 890: 438–449.
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    Tu JC, Xiao B, Yuan JP et al. (1998) Homer binds a novel proline-rich motif and links group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors with IP3 receptors. Neuron 21: 717–726.
 Further Reading
    Anwyl R (1999) Metabotropic glutamate receptors: electrophysiological properties and role in plasticity. Brain Research. Brain Research Reviews 29: 83–120.
    Bortolotto ZA, Fitzjohn SM and Collingridge GL (1999) Roles of metabotropic glutamate receptors in LTP and LTD in the hippocampus. Current Opinion in Neurobiology 9: 299–304.
    book Moroni F, Nicoletti F and Pellegrini-Giampietro DE (eds) (1998) Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors and Brain Function. London: Portland Press.
    Schoepp DD, Jane DE and Monn JA (1999) Pharmacological agents acting at subtypes of glutamate receptors. Neuropharmacology 38: 1431–1476.

Related Sub-Topics:

Receptors for Neurotransmitters | Membrane Proteins | Signal Transduction
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Article Title: Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors
 
How to Cite close
Doherty, AJ, and Collingridge, GL(Apr 2001) Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors. In: eLS. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester. http://www.els.net [doi: 10.1038/npg.els.0000237]