Glutamatergic neurotransmission plays important roles in sensory map formation. The absence of the group I metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) leads to abnormal sensory map formation throughout the mouse somatosensory pathway. To examine the role of cortical mGluR5 expression on barrel map formation, we generated cortex-specific mGluR5 knock-out (KO) mice. Eliminating mGluR5 function sol...

Introduction: Topiramate is an anti-convulsant drug, which produces its effects via glutamate metabotropic receptors inhibition and/or GABA receptor excitation. In the present study, attempts were made to investigate the effects of topiramate on the tolerance to morphine-induced analgesia activity in male NMRI mice (20-30 g). Methods: Hot plate method was chosen for the study. First of all t...

Following microinjection into the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), the effects of glutamate on the baroreceptor reflex are poorly antagonized by kynurenic acid and DL-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid, suggesting the possible involvement of metabotropic glutamate receptors in this response. The metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist 1S,3R-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (1S,3R-ACPD) d...

Circuitry of the cerebellar cortex is regionally and functionally specialized. Unipolar brush cells (UBCs), Purkinje cell (PC) synapses made by axon collaterals in granular layer, are both enriched areas that control balance eye movement. Here, we find a link between these specializations mice: PCs preferentially inhibit metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1 (mGluR1)-expressing UBCs respond to...

The amyloid precursor protein (APP) can be cleaved by a beta-secretase to generate a beta-amyloid peptide, which has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. However, APP can also be cleaved by an alpha-secretase to form a non-amyloidogenic secreted form of APP (APP-S). APP-S secretion can be physiologically regulated. This study examined the glutamatergic regulation of APP i...

Two main forms of neurotransmitter release are known: action potential-evoked and spontaneous release. Action potential-evoked release depends on Ca2+ entry through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, whereas spontaneous release is thought to be Ca2+ -independent. Generally, spontaneous and action potential-evoked release are believed to use the same release machinery to release neurotransmitter. This...

Drosophila melanogaster larval neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) serve as a model for synaptic physiology. The molecular sequences of the postsynaptic glutamate receptors have been described; however, the pharmacological profile has not been fully elucidated. The postsynaptic molecular sequence suggests a novel glutamate receptor subtype. Kainate does not depolarize the muscle, but dampens evoked ...

Nuclear Ca2+ plays a critical role in many cellular functions although its mode (s) of regulation is unclear. This study shows that the metabotropic glutamate receptor, mGlu5, mobilizes nuclear Ca2+ independent of cytosolic Ca2+ regulation. Immunocytochemical, ultrastructural, and subcellular fractionation techniques revealed that the metabotropic glutamate receptor, mGlu5, can be localized to ...

BACKGROUND Central terminals of primary nociceptors release neurotransmitters glutamate and substance P, which bind to ionotropic or metabotropic receptors on spinal neurons to induce cellular responses. Extracellular signal-regulated kinases are activated by these receptors and are important modulators of pain at the dorsal horn. The authors investigated these pathways as potential targets for...

Metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) plays a critical role in psychostimulant-induced behavior, yet it is unclear whether mGluR5 is activated by psychostimulant administration, or whether its role is constitutive. We previously reported that activation of mGluR5 with the group I mGluR agonist (RS)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) can induce a long-term depression (DHPG-LTD) of glutamater...