Calcineurin plays different roles in group II metabotropic glutamate receptor- and NMDA receptor-dependent long-term depression

We investigated metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR)-dependent long-term depression (LTD) in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons of 6- to 8-d-old [postnatal days 6-8 (P6-P8)] and 21- to 25-d-old (P21-P25) rats. In P6-P8 rats, induction of LTD depended on the activity of group II mGluRs. In P21-P25 rats, however, this LTD disappeared, and instead, NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-dependent LTD appeared. A bath containing a specific calcineurin (CaN) inhibitor restored the group II mGluR-dependent LTD in the neurons of the P21-P25 rats. Although postsynaptic injection of CaN inhibitors suppressed NMDAR-dependent LTD, it did not affect induction of group II mGluR-dependent LTD. These results demonstrate that CaN plays different roles in the induction of two forms of LTD: presynaptic CaN inhibits group II mGluR-dependent LTD, whereas postsynaptic CaN facilitates NMDAR-dependent LTD. These findings are the first demonstration in vitro of group II mGluR-dependent LTD that is negatively regulated by CaN via an age-dependent mechanism.

The group I metabotropic glutamate receptor mGluR5 is required for fear memory formation and long-term potentiation in the lateral amygdala

The group I metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype mGluR5 has been shown to play a key role in the modulation of synaptic plasticity. The present experiments examined the function of mGluR5 in the circuitry underlying Pavlovian fear conditioning using neuroanatomical, electrophysiological, and behavioral techniques. First, we show using immunocytochemical and tract-tracing methods that mGluR5 is localized to dendritic shafts and spines in the lateral nucleus of the amygdala (LA) and is postsynaptic to auditory thalamic inputs. In electrophysiological experiments, we show that long-term potentiation at thalamic input synapses to the LA is impaired by bath application of a specific mGluR5 antagonist, 2-methyl-6-(phenyle-thynyl)-pyridine (MPEP), in vitro. Finally, we show that intra-amygdala administration of MPEP dose-dependently impairs the acquisition, but not expression or consolidation, of auditory and contextual fear conditioning. Collectively, the results of this study indicate that mGluR5 in the LA plays a crucial role in fear conditioning and in plasticity at synapses involved in fear conditioning.

Metabotropic glutamate receptors in the hippocampus and nucleus accumbens are involved in generating seizure-induced hippocampal gamma waves and behavioral hyperactivity

The involvement of metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) subtypes in the generation of hippocampal EEG (30-100 Hz) and behaviors induced by a hippocampal afterdischarge (AD) was examined in freely behaving rats. A hippocampal AD induced an increase in gamma waves (30-100 Hz) for 20 min, accompanied by behavioral hyperactivity. Bilateral intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion of (RS)-alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine (MCPG), a group I and II mGluR antagonist, 30 min before a hippocampal AD, significantly suppressed both the increase in gamma waves and the behavioral hyperactivity. The hippocampal theta rhythm, the spontaneous hippocampal gamma waves, and evoked field potential oscillations of approximately 40 Hz were not affected by MCPG. Pre-infusion (i.c.v.) of (2S)-alpha-ethylglutamic acid (EGLU; a group II mGluR antagonist), but not (RS)-1-aminoindan-1,5-dicarboxylic acid (AIDA; a group I mGluR antagonist), suppressed the postictal increase of both hippocampal gamma waves and behaviors. MCPG was infused locally into different brain structures in order to specify its target sites. Intra-hippocampal infusion of MCPG, or EGLU, blocked the increase in both gamma waves and behaviors. Infusion of MCPG into the nucleus accumbens suppressed the postictal behavioral hyperactivity without affecting the increase in hippocampal gamma waves. MCPG injected into the medial septum blocked neither postictal gamma activity nor behavioral hyperactivity. It is suggested that the group II mGluRs in the hippocampus are involved in generation of the postictal hippocampal gamma waves, while behavioral hyperactivity is partly mediated by mGluRs in the nucleus accumbens. However, spontaneous gamma and theta waves in the normal hippocampus are not mediated by mGluRs.

Peripheral metabotropic glutamate receptors as drug targets for pain relief

The relatively new family of G-protein-coupled metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) is comprised of eight cloned subtypes, which are classified into three groups based on their sequence homology, signal transduction mechanisms and receptor pharmacology. It is now well-established that mGluRs in the central nervous system are essential for neuroplasticity associated with normal brain functions but are also critically involved in various neurological and psychiatric disorders. Recent anatomical and behavioural evidence suggests an important role of mGluRs in peripheral tissues in animal models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Once the cellular effects of peripheral mGluR activation and inhibition are better understood, certain peripheral mGluR subtypes may become important novel therapeutic targets for the relief of pain associated with peripheral tissue injury. Peripherally acting drugs that modulate nociceptive processing through mGluRs should have the advantage of lacking the central side effects commonly observed with drugs interfering with glutamatergic transmission in the central nervous system.

Competing on the edge

Fast-acting neurotransmitters can exit the synaptic cleft and bind to extrasynaptic receptors. This process is modulated by transmitter uptake mechanisms (transporters). A new study focusing on glutamate-mediated transmission in the cerebellum describes the specific role of neuronal transporters in modulating the access of glutamate to extrasynaptic metabotropic glutamate receptors, and reveals important consequences of extrasynaptic signaling on synaptic plasticity.

Metabotropic glutamate receptor involvement in models of acute and persistent pain: prospects for the development of novel analgesics

The excitatory amino acid glutamate plays a major role in nociceptive processing. Ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors are expressed in relevant areas of the brain, spinal cord and periphery that are involved in pain sensation and transmission. Activation of mGlu receptors along the pain neuraxis can result in either pronociceptive or antinociceptive behaviors depending on the subtype of mGluR and its location. The data published to date most strongly support the idea that mGlu1 antagonists might act as broad-spectrum analgesics. Several studies pointing to a functional upregulation of mGlu2/3 in chronic pain models suggest that agonists of these receptors might also be effective analgesics in certain conditions, most notably inflammation-induced hyperalgesia and allodynia. The expression of mGluRs throughout the pain neuraxis and the differing roles of the mGluRs in each of these regions makes it difficult to predict the efficacy of mGluR ligands based on in vitro or local administration studies. Potent, systemically active compounds that show mGluR subtype selectivity will be critical to undertake more detailed analyses in animal models of pain.

The roles of metabotropic glutamate receptors in seizures and epilepsy

Epilepsy is a disorder that afflicts more than 50 million people worldwide. Current antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), although effective in controlling seizures for the majority of individuals, remain far from ideal as therapeutics. There is a need for new drugs that act at different molecular targets than currently available AEDs and for new therapies designed to block the process of epileptogenesis. Because of their central role in modulating numerous physiological processes in the central nervous system, metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) have been implicated in the pathophysiology of a variety of neurological conditions including epilepsy. mGluRs represent attractive new targets for therapeutic control of seizures and interruption of the epileptogenic process. We review the involvement of mGluRs in the induction and expression of epileptic seizures, their potential roles in the process of epileptogenesis, and their altered expression and function in the epileptic human brain.

A model for the functioning of family 3 GPCRs

Family 3 G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) comprise the metabotropic glutamate (mglu) receptors, GABA(B) receptors, Ca(2+)-sensing receptors and some taste and putative pheromone receptors. All are composed of two domains, an extracellular ligand-binding domain and a transmembrane heptahelical domain that activates G proteins. Here we propose a model for the function of family 3 GPCRs that takes into account their structure. This model fits with specific pharmacological features of some family 3 GPCRs, such as modulation by positive and negative allosteric regulators. The model also reveals differences between GABA(B) receptors and Group I mglu receptors: in the former there is "tight" functional coupling between the two domains of the receptor whereas the "loose" coupling in the latter gives these receptors specific features not shared by many other GPCRs.

Dissociation of protein kinase-mediated regulation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (mGluR7) interactions with calmodulin and regulation of mGluR7 function

Presynaptic metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) often act as feedback inhibitors of synaptic transmission and serve important roles in defining the activity of glutamatergic synapses. Recent investigations have begun to identify novel interactions of presynaptic mGluRs, especially mGluR7, with multiple protein kinases and putative regulatory proteins that probably serve to further shape the overall activity of glutamatergic synapses. In the present study, we report that in addition to protein kinase C (PKC), cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) can inhibit calmodulin (CaM) interactions with the carboxyl-terminal tail of mGluR7. These actions are mediated by PKC-, PKA-, or PKG-dependent phosphorylation of mGluR7 at a single serine residue, Ser(862), in the carboxyl terminus of the receptor. Mutation of this residue inhibits kinase-mediated phosphorylation of the mGluR7 carboxyl terminus and reverses kinase-mediated inhibition of CaM binding to mGluR7. However, PKC-mediated inhibition of the functional coupling of mGluR7 to G protein-coupled inward rectifier potassium (GIRK) currents in a heterologous expression system is not affected by mutating Ser(862). Furthermore, mutation of Ser(862) to glutamate to mimic receptor phosphorylation and inhibit CaM interactions with mGluR7 does not affect receptor function. These studies demonstrate that the ability of these second messenger-dependent kinases to inhibit mGluR7-mediated activation of GIRK current is not dependent on the phosphorylation of Ser(862) or the regulation of CaM binding to mGluR7. Furthermore, our studies suggest that CaM binding is not required for mGluR7-mediated activation of GIRK current.

Localization and function of group III metabotropic glutamate receptors in rat pancreatic islets

Pancreatic islets contain ionotropic glutamate receptors that can modulate hormone secretion. The purpose of this study was to determine whether islets express functional group III metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors. RT-PCR analysis showed that rat islets express the mGlu8 receptor subtype. mGlu8 receptor immunoreactivity was primarily displayed by glucagon-secreting alpha-cells and intrapancreatic neurons. By demonstrating the immunoreactivities of both glutamate and the vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGLUT2) in these cells, we established that alpha-cells express a glutamatergic phenotype. VGLUT2 was concentrated in the secretory granules of islet cells, suggesting that glutamate might play a role in the regulation of glucagon processing. The expression of mGlu8 by glutamatergic cells also suggests that mGlu8 may function as an autoreceptor to regulate glutamate release. Pancreatic group III mGlu receptors are functional because mGlu8 receptor agonists inhibited glucagon release and forskolin-induced accumulation of cAMP in isolated islets, and (R,S)-cyclopropyl-4-phosphonophenylglycine, a group III mGlu receptor antagonist, reduced these effects. Because excess glucagon secretion causes postprandial hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes, group III mGlu receptor agonists could be of value in the treatment of these patients.

Group III mGluR-mediated depression of sensory synaptic transmission

The effect of L-AP4, a group III mGluR agonist, on sensory synaptic transmission in the lamprey spinal cord has been analyzed. Paired recordings were made between cutaneous mechanosensory neurons (dorsal cells) and postsynaptic spinobulbar giant interneurons. L-AP4 reduced the monosynaptic dorsal cell-evoked EPSP, but at concentrations higher (200-500 microM) than those necessary to depress reticulospinal axon-evoked EPSPs. Stimulation of the dorsal column, which contains dorsal cell axons and the axons of putative nociceptive and theromosensory axons, elicited compound EPSPs that were consistently depressed by L-AP4. Sensory inputs in the lamprey are thus inhibited by group III mGluRs.

Activation of group I mGluRs elicits different responses in murine CA1 and CA3 pyramidal cells

The group I metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist DHPG has been shown to produce two major effects on CA3 pyramidal cells at rest: a reduction in the background conductance and an activation of a voltage-gated inward current (I(mGluR(V))). Both effects contribute to depolarising CA3 pyramidal cells and the latter has been implicated in eliciting prolonged epileptiform population bursts. We observed that DHPG-induced depolarisation was smaller in CA1 pyramidal cells than in CA3 cells. Voltage clamp studies revealed that while DHPG elicited I(mGluR(V)) in CA3 pyramidal cells, such a response was absent in CA1 pyramidal cells. Both mGluR1 and mGluR5 have been localised in CA3 pyramidal cells, whereas only mGluR5 has been detected in CA1 pyramidal cells. Using mGluR1 knockout mice, we evaluated whether the absence of an I(mGluR(V)) response can be correlated with the absence of mGluR1. In these experiments, DHPG failed to elicit I(mGluR(V)) in CA3 pyramidal cells. This suggests that the smaller depolarising effects of DHPG on wild-type CA1 pyramidal cells is caused, at least in part, by the absence of I(mGluR(V)) in these cells and that the difference in the responses of CA1 and CA3 cells may be attributable to the lack of mGluR1 in CA1 pyramidal cells.

Activation of Group III mGluRs increases the activity of neurons in area 17 of the cat

Activation of Group III metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) by L(+)-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (L-AP4) has different effects on in vitro slice preparations of visual cortex (Jin & Daw, 1998) as compared with in vivo recordings from somatosensory cortex (Wan & Cahusac, 1995). To investigate the role of Group III mGluRs in the cat visual cortex, in vivo recordings were made of neurons in area 17 of the visual cortex of kittens and adult cats at different ages and the effect of iontophoretic application of L-AP4 (100 mM) was examined. Application of L-AP4 resulted in an increase of the spontaneous activity and visual response of neurons to visual stimulation, the former more than the latter. The effect of L-AP4 was greatest at 3-5 weeks of age with the effect on the visual response declining more rapidly than the effect on spontaneous activity. Consistent with work in rat cortex (Jin & Daw, 1998), the effect of L-AP4 was significantly greater in upper and lower layers than in middle layers. Whole-cell in vitro recordings from slices of rat visual cortex indicated that L-AP4 (50 mM) did not increase the number of spikes elicited by increasing levels of current injections. These results confirm that L-AP4 increases activity in vivo and reasons for the discrepancy with the in vitro results are discussed.

The novel and systemically active metabotropic glutamate 1 (mGlu1) receptor antagonist 3-MATIDA reduces post-ischemic neuronal death

We examined the pharmacological properties of 3-methyl-aminothiophene dicarboxylic acid (3-MATIDA) by measuring second messenger responses in baby hamster kidney cells stably transfected with mGlu1a, mGlu2, mGlu4a or mGlu5a receptors and ionotropic glutamate receptor agonist-induced depolarizations in mouse cortical wedges. 3-MATIDA was a potent (IC(50)=6.3 microM, 95% confidence limits 3-15) and relatively selective mGlu1 receptor antagonist. When tested on mGlu2, mGlu4 or mGlu5 receptors its IC(50) was >300 microM. When tested in cortical wedges, however, 3-MATIDA was also able to antagonize AMPA or NMDA responses with an IC(50) of 250 microM. When present in the incubation medium of cultured murine cortical cells, 3-MATIDA (1-100 microM) significantly reduced the death of neurons induced by 60 min of oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD), even when added up to 60 min after OGD. A similar neuroprotective activity was observed when 3-MATIDA was present at 10-100 microM in the medium of rat organotypic hippocampal slice cultures exposed to 30 min OGD. Systemic administration of 3-MATIDA (3-10 mg/kg, immediately and 1 h after the onset of ischemia) reduced the volume of brain infarcts following permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats. Our results show that 3-MATIDA is a potent and possibly selective mGlu 1 receptor antagonist that may be considered as a novel prototype neuroprotective agent.

Supersensitivity of human metabotropic glutamate 1a receptor signaling in L929sA cells

The effect of antagonist pretreatment on the signaling properties of the human metabotropic glutamate 1a (hmGlu1a) receptor was examined in stably transfected L929sA cells. Pre-exposure of hmGlu1a receptor-expressing cells to the mGlu1 receptor antagonists (S)-4-carboxy-3-hydroxyphenylglycine and 7-(hydroxyimino)cyclo-propa[b]chromen-1a-carboxylate ethyl ester dramatically enhanced subsequent glutamate-induced phosphoinositide hydrolysis and intracellular [Ca(2+)] rise. We found clear indications that the antagonist-mediated enhancement of glutamate-evoked mGlu1a receptor signaling is caused by the development of mGlu1a receptor supersensitivity: the potency of glutamate was increased by 3-fold after 24 h antagonist pretreatment and the potency of the antagonists was significantly decreased in antagonist-pretreated cells. The kinetic profile of the antagonist-mediated enhancement showed that the maximal increase in intracellular [Ca(2+)] was already reached after 30-min pretreatment, suggesting that de novo receptor synthesis is not involved in the process of mGlu1a receptor supersensitization. Glutamate-mediated phosphoinositide hydrolysis increased up to 24 h after antagonist treatment. Although it seemed likely that the hmGlu1a receptor could desensitize after activation by endogenously present glutamate, removal of glutamate from the extracellular medium with GPT resulted in a much smaller enhancement of glutamate responsiveness. Moreover, the magnitude of antagonist-mediated receptor supersensitivity was much larger than the magnitude of agonist-induced receptor desensitization. These results suggest that antagonist-evoked mGlu1 receptor supersensitivity is not merely the result of a blockade of agonist-induced desensitization. Finally, we found that antagonist pretreatment doubled the amount of receptors at the cell surface. Our findings are the first lines of evidence that prolonged antagonist treatment can supersensitize the hmGlu1a receptor. In view of the potential therapeutic application of mGlu1 receptor antagonists, it will be important to know whether these phenomena occur in vivo.

Effect of ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate agonists and D-aspartate on prolactin release from anterior pituitary cells

Although the presence of ionotropic (iGluRs) and metabotropic (mGluRs) glutamate receptors has been demonstrated in the anterior pituitary, recent reports on the direct effect of glutamate on prolactin (PRL) secretion by anterior pituitary cells have presented contradictory results. Hence, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of ionotropic (iGluRs) and metabotropic (mGluRs) glutamate receptor agonists on prolactin (PRL) release. In addition, since D-Aspartate (D-Asp) is found in the pituitary and is involved in neuroendocrine regulation, we also studied the direct action of D-Asp on PRL secretion. Finally, since the posterior pituitary participates in the regulation of PRL secretion, we examined the influence of the posterior pituitary on the effects of NMDA and D-Asp on PRL release. Glutamate (1000 microM) increased PRL secretion from cultured anterior pituitary cells. Both NMDA (100 microM) and kainate (100 microM) increased PRL secretion and these effects were blocked by a specific NMDA receptor antagonist. AMPA did not modify PRL release in these cultures. The group I and II mGluR agonist, trans-ACPD (1000 microM), and a specific group II mGluR agonist, L-CCG-I (100-1000 microM), inhibited whereas specific group I and III mGluR agonists, 3-HPG and L-AP4 respectively, had no effect on PRL release. Finally, D-Asp (100-1000 microM) stimulated PRL secretion and this effect was reduced by a NMDA receptor antagonist. When anterior pituitary cells were cultured in the presence of posterior pituitary cells, NMDA did not modify PRL or GABA release, while D-Asp increased PRL secretion and decreased GABA release in these cocultures. In conclusion, our results show that L-glutamate has a differential direct effect on PRL release: it exerts a stimulatory action via iGluRs and an inhibitory effect via mGluRs. D-Asp could directly stimulate PRL release through NMDA receptors. D-Asp may also stimulate PRL release by decreasing GABA release from the posterior pituitary.

Mechanisms and physiological role of enhancement of mGlu5 receptor function by group II mGlu receptor activation in rat perirhinal cortex

In this study we have investigated mechanisms underlying enhancement by group II metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors of group I mGlu receptor-induced calcium mobilization. Inhibition of protein kinase A (PKA) caused an enhancement of mGlu5 receptor-mediated calcium mobilization and occluded the enhancement by group II mGlu receptors. A peptide (Ht31) that prevents interaction between A-kinase anchoring protein (AKAP) and PKA also enhanced mGlu5-mediated calcium mobilization. Enhancement of mGlu5 function, by inhibition of PKA or by activation of group II mGlu receptors, was prevented by the protein phosphatase 2B (PP2B) inhibitor cyclosporin A. Furthermore, the enhancement by activation of group II mGlu receptors was prevented by raising intracellular cAMP. These results suggest that the regulation by PKA and PP2B of phosphorylation of a substrate on mGlu5 and/or on group II mGlu receptors is intimately involved in the mechanisms underlying interaction between group II mGlu and mGlu5 receptors. Long-term depression (LTD) in perirhinal cortex requires group I, group II and NMDA receptor activation at resting membrane potentials but does not require group II mGlu receptor activation at depolarized potentials. We previously suggested that interaction between group I and group II mGlu receptors is required for induction of LTD at resting potentials. In support of this, we demonstrate in perirhinal cortex slices that blocking mechanisms underlying mGlu receptor synergy (by raising intracellular cAMP or by inhibition of PP2B) selectively prevented LTD at resting membrane potentials. This study thus provides a potential explanation for the co-requirement in LTD of group I and group II mGlu receptor activation. Similar mechanisms of synergistic interaction may also be important in other physiological processes dependent on mGlu receptors.

Both metabotropic glutamate I and II receptors mediate augmentation of dopamine release from the striatum in methamphetamine-sensitized rats

The role of metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) on dopamine overflow from the striatum was studied in methamphetamine (MAP)-sensitized rats. The increase of dopamine release by MAP was significantly inhibited by perfusion of a mGluR antagonist R,S-alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine. The perfused mGluR agonist [S,3R-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid enhanced the dopamine level. The enhancement was significantly attenuated by co-perfusion of a mGluR group I antagonist (S)-4-carboxy-3-hydroxyphenylglycine or a mGluR group II antagonist R,S-a-methyl-4-tetrazolylphenylglycine. These suggest that both mGluR group I and II mediate augmentation of dopamine release in MAP-sensitized rats.

Interaction of group I mGlu and NMDA receptor agonists within the dorsal horn of the spinal cord of the juvenile rat

1. The modulatory effects of mGlu receptors on NMDA-induced potential changes in spinal motoneurones were studied in vitro. 2. Selective activation of mGlu5 receptors by 10 microM (RS)-2-Chloro-5-hydroxyphenylglycine (CHPG; EC(50)=280 +/- 24 microM) did not produce any change in the ventral root potential. However, the same concentration of CHPG (10 min perfusion) significantly attenuated the NMDA-induced ventral root depolarization (VRD). The effect persisted for 10 min after washout. NMDA-induced responses returned to control in 30 min. Brief co-application of CHPG and NMDA did not alter the NMDA-induced response indicating lack of direct receptor interaction. 3. The attenuating effect of CHPG on the NMDA-induced VRD was inhibited by the mGluR5 receptor antagonist, 2-methyl-6-phenyl-ethynylpyridine (MPEP). 4. In the presence of CGP56433A, a GABA(B) receptor antagonist, the NMDA-induced VRD was unchanged. However, NMDA-induced responses were potentiated after 10 min co-application of CHPG and CGP56433A. 5. (2R,4R)-4-aminopyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylate ((2R,4R)-APDC), a group II mGlu receptor agonist did not attenuate the NMDA-induced response. 6. Under normal physiological conditions group I mGlu receptor agonists activate at least two populations of neurones: (1) GABA-ergic cells, which could release GABA and inhibit dorsal horn neurones, and (2) deep dorsal horn neurones/motoneurones which express NMDA receptors. Therefore, activation of mGlu5 receptors located on GABA-ergic interneurones could influence any direct potentiating interaction between mGlu5 and NMDA receptors in spinal cord and result in depression of the VRD. In the presence of a GABA(B) receptor antagonist, the direct synergistic interaction is unmasked. These data suggest that group I mGlu receptors provide a complex modulation of spinal synaptic processes.

Metabotropic glutamate receptors mediate expression of LTP in slices of rat visual cortex

Long-term-potentiation (LTP) can be induced by application of a standard theta-burst stimulation protocol in slice preparations of the neocortex. This type of LTP is known to be dependent on the activation of NMDA receptors. The present study used specific experimental conditions to evoke a non-NMDA receptor mediated type of LTP. By use of weak theta-burst stimulation (wTBS) we describe a non-NMDA receptor dependent LTP in rat visual cortex in vitro, which is sensitive to an antagonist of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR). In slices of the visual cortex we stimulated ascending inputs in cortical layer IV and recorded extracellular field potentials (FPs) from cortical layers II/III. In disinhibited slices (with 1 microm picrotoxin), a wTBS induced LTP to 138% of control. The expression of this potentiation was insensitive to the NMDA-receptor antagonist, D-AP5, but could be abolished by application of the mGluR antagonist MCPG. These data suggest an NMDA-independent mechanism for LTP induction in the visual cortex which can be observed in layer II/III neurons.

Activation of group II metabotropic glutamate receptors inhibits glutamate release from salamander retinal photoreceptors

We investigated the effects of group II metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) activation on excitatory synaptic transmission in the salamander retinal slice preparation. The group II selective agonists DCG-IV and LY354740 reduced light-evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in ganglion cells. To determine the synaptic basis of this effect, we also recorded from bipolar cells and horizontal cells. In ON bipolar cells, DCG-IV increased the inward current in darkness but did not affect the peak current at light onset. In OFF bipolar cells and horizontal cells, DCG-IV had the opposite effect, reducing the inward current in darkness. Given the opposite polarities of these two classes of synapses, our results suggest that group II mGluRs act presynaptically to reduce glutamate release from photoreceptors. To determine whether DCG-IV affected rods or cones, we applied light stimuli that selectively activate each type of photoreceptor. In horizontal cells, most of which receive mixed synaptic input from rods and cones, DCG-IV reduced rod-driven EPSCs evoked by 470-nm stimuli and cone-driven EPSCs elicited by 700-nm stimuli in the presence of a rod-saturating background. Thus, activation of group II mGluRs reduced rod- and cone-mediated glutamate release. Our results suggest that group II mGluRs could mediate feedback by which extracellular glutamate inhibits glutamate release from photoreceptor terminals.

Induction mechanisms for L-LTP at thalamic input synapses to the lateral amygdala: requirement of mGluR5 activation

L-LTP (late-phase long-term potentiation) at thalamo-amygdala synapses is thought to be critical for auditory fear conditioning, but it has not been clear what kinds of surface receptors and channels are involved in the induction phase of the L-LTP. Here we report that the NMDA receptor antagonist D-AP5 (50 microM), the L-type calcium channel antagonist nifedipine (30 microM) and the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 antagonist MPEP (10 microM) prevented L-LTP induction when each antagonist was separately applied at saturating concentrations before and during repeated tetanus. By contrast, the mGluR1 antagonist CPCCOEt (80 microM) failed to show any effects on L-LTP induction. Neither D-AP5 nor MPEP produced any significant effects on potentiated synaptic responses when applied after L-LTP had been established. Thus, our data suggest that NMDA receptors, L-type calcium channels and mGluR5 are involved in L-LTP induction in the thalamo-amygdala pathway.

Glutamate uptake controls expression of a slow postsynaptic current mediated by mGluRs in cerebellar Purkinje cells

At the cerebellar parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapse, isolated presynaptic activity induces fast excitatory postsynaptic currents via ionotropic glutamate receptors while repetitive, high-frequency, presynaptic activity can also induce a slow excitatory postsynaptic current that is mediated by metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR1-EPSC). Here we investigated the involvement of glutamate uptake in the expression of the mGluR1-EPSC. Inhibitors of glutamate uptake led to a large increase of the mGluR1-EPSC. D-aspartate (0.4 mM) and L(-)-threo-3-hydroxyaspartate (0.4 mM) increased the mGluR1-EPSC approximately 4.5 and approximately 9-fold, respectively, while dihydrokainic acid (1 mM), had no significant effect on the mGluR1-EPSC. D-aspartate (0.4 mM) shifted the concentration-response curve of the depression of the mGluR1-EPSC by the low-affinity mGluR1 antagonist (S)-a-Methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine [(S)-MCPG] to higher concentrations and decreased the stimulus intensity and the number of necessary stimuli to evoke an mGluR1-EPSC. Depression of the mGluR1-EPSC by rapid pressure application of (S)-MCPG at varying time intervals after tetanic stimulation of the parallel fibers indicated that the glutamate concentration in the peri- and extrasynaptic space decayed with time constants of 36 and 316 ms under control conditions and with inhibition of glutamate uptake, respectively. These results show that expression of the slow mGluR-mediated excitatory postsynaptic current is controlled by glutamate transporter activity. Thus in contrast to fast glutamatergic synaptic transmission, metabotropic glutamate receptor-mediated transmission is critically dependent on the activity and capacity of glutamate uptake.

Desensitization of group I metabotropic glutamate receptors in rat sympathetic neurons

Desensitization of heterologously expressed metabotropic glutamate receptor 5a (mGluR5a) was examined in rat sympathetic neurons. Calcium currents in cells expressing mGluR5a exhibited substantial inhibition in response to glutamate exposure. In the continued presence of glutamate, inhibition attenuated rapidly over the course of about a minute. Desensitization was eliminated when a nonhydrolyzable ATP analogue was substituted for ATP in the pipette solution, suggesting that desensitization was mediated by a phosphorylation event. Next, pharmacological agents were used to investigate the nature of the kinase involved in desensitization. Desensitization was sensitive to the nonspecific kinase inhibitor, staurosporine, but not H-7, another nonspecific kinase inhibitor. Inhibitors of myosin light chain kinase and calmodulin-dependent kinase were without effect on desensitization. However, desensitization was sensitive to the protein kinase C inhibitor bisindolymaleimide. In contrast, Gö6976, a selective inhibitor of conventional protein kinase C isoforms, was without effect. In addition, desensitization persisted in the presence of 10 mM intracellular bis-(o-aminophenoxy)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, a fast Ca(2+) chelator. Finally, overexpression of wild-type calmodulin, which can bind mGluR5 and inhibit phosphorylation, did not alter mGluR desensitization. Two Ca(2+)-binding-deficient calmodulin mutants were also without effect. These data indicate a role for nonconventional protein kinase C isoforms as a mediator of mGluR5 desensitization and that the phosphorylation of mGluR5a that competes with calmodulin binding does not mediate desensitization.