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Nabit BP, Taylor A, Winder DG. Thalamocortical mGlu8 Modulates Dorsal Thalamus Excitatory Transmission and Sensorimotor Activity. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e0119242024. [PMID: 38918065 PMCID: PMC11293446 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0119-24.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate receptor 8 (mGlu8) is a heterogeneously expressed and poorly understood glutamate receptor with potential pharmacological significance. The thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) is a critical inhibitory modulator of the thalamocortical-corticothalamic (TC-CT) network and plays a crucial role in information processing throughout the brain, is implicated in a variety of psychiatric conditions, and is also a site of significant mGlu8 expression. Using both male and female mice, we determined via fluorescent in situ hybridization that parvalbumin-expressing cells in the TRN core and shell matrices (identified by spp1+ and ecel1+ expression, respectively), as well as the cortical layers involved in CT signaling, express grm8 mRNA. We then assayed the physiological and behavioral impacts of perturbing grm8 signaling in the TC circuit through conditional (adeno-associated virus-CRE mediated) and cell-type-specific constitutive deletion strategies. We show that constitutive parvalbumin grm8 knock-out (PV grm8 knock-out) mice exhibited (1) increased spontaneous excitatory drive onto dorsal thalamus relay cells and (2) impaired sensorimotor gating, measured via paired-pulse inhibition, but observed no differences in locomotion and thigmotaxis in repeated bouts of open field test (OFT). Conversely, we observed hyperlocomotive phenotypes and anxiolytic effects of AAV-mediated conditional knockdown of grm8 in the TRN (TRN grm8 knockdown) in repeated OFT. Our findings underscore a role for mGlu8 in regulating excitatory neurotransmission as well as anxiety-related locomotor behavior and sensorimotor gating, revealing potential therapeutic applications for various neuropsychiatric disorders and guiding future research endeavors into mGlu8 signaling and TRN function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bretton P Nabit
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37203
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37203
| | - Anne Taylor
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37203
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37203
| | - Danny G Winder
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37203
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37203
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37203
- Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37203
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655
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Belkacemi K, Rondard P, Pin JP, Prézeau L. Heterodimers Revolutionize the Field of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors. Neuroscience 2024:S0306-4522(24)00270-7. [PMID: 38936459 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Identified 40 years ago, the metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors play key roles in modulating many synapses in the brain, and are still considered as important drug targets to treat various brain diseases. Eight genes encoding mGlu subunits have been identified. They code for complex receptors composed of a large extracellular domain where glutamate binds, connected to a G protein activating membrane domain. They are covalently linked dimers, a quaternary structure needed for their activation by glutamate. For many years they have only been considered as homodimers, then limiting the number of mGlu receptors to 8 subtypes composed of twice the same subunit. Twelve years ago, mGlu subunits were shown to also form heterodimers with specific subunits combinations, increasing the family up to 19 different potential dimeric receptors. Since then, a number of studies brought evidence for the existence of such heterodimers in the brain, through various approaches. Structural and molecular dynamic studies helped understand their peculiar activation process. The present review summarizes the approaches used to study their activation process and their pharmacological properties and to demonstrate their existence in vivo. We will highlight how the existence of mGlu heterodimers revolutionizes the mGlu receptor field, opening new possibilities for therapeutic intervention for brain diseases. As illustrated by the number of possible mGlu heterodimers, this study will highlight the need for further research to fully understand their role in physiological and pathological conditions, and to develop more specific therapeutic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kawthar Belkacemi
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Inserm, Montpellier, France
| | - Philippe Rondard
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Inserm, Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-Philippe Pin
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Inserm, Montpellier, France.
| | - Laurent Prézeau
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Inserm, Montpellier, France.
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3
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Ferranti AS, Luessen DJ, Niswender CM. Novel pharmacological targets for GABAergic dysfunction in ADHD. Neuropharmacology 2024; 249:109897. [PMID: 38462041 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.109897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopment disorder that affects approximately 5% of the population. The disorder is characterized by impulsivity, hyperactivity, and deficits in attention and cognition, although symptoms vary across patients due to the heterogenous and polygenic nature of the disorder. Stimulant medications are the standard of care treatment for ADHD patients, and their effectiveness has led to the dopaminergic hypothesis of ADHD in which deficits in dopaminergic signaling, especially in cortical brain regions, mechanistically underly ADHD pathophysiology. Despite their effectiveness in many individuals, almost one-third of patients do not respond to stimulant treatments and the long-term negative side effects of these medications remain unclear. Emerging clinical evidence is beginning to highlight an important role of dysregulated excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) balance in ADHD. These deficits in E/I balance are related to functional abnormalities in glutamate and Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) signaling in the brain, with increasing emphasis placed on GABAergic interneurons driving specific aspects of ADHD pathophysiology. Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have also highlighted how genes associated with GABA function are mutated in human populations with ADHD, resulting in the generation of several new genetic mouse models of ADHD. This review will discuss how GABAergic dysfunction underlies ADHD pathophysiology, and how specific receptors/proteins related to GABAergic interneuron dysfunction may be pharmacologically targeted to treat ADHD in subpopulations with specific comorbidities and symptom domains. This article is part of the Special Issue on "PFC circuit function in psychiatric disease and relevant models".
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony S Ferranti
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Deborah J Luessen
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Colleen M Niswender
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
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Parent HH, Niswender CM. Therapeutic Potential for Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 7 Modulators in Cognitive Disorders. Mol Pharmacol 2024; 105:348-358. [PMID: 38423750 PMCID: PMC11026152 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.124.000874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (mGlu7) is the most highly conserved and abundantly expressed mGlu receptor in the human brain. The presynaptic localization of mGlu7, coupled with its low affinity for its endogenous agonist, glutamate, are features that contribute to the receptor's role in modulating neuronal excitation and inhibition patterns, including long-term potentiation, in various brain regions. These characteristics suggest that mGlu7 modulation may serve as a novel therapeutic strategy in disorders of cognitive dysfunction, including neurodevelopmental disorders that cause impairments in learning, memory, and attention. Primary mutations in the GRM7 gene have recently been identified as novel causes of neurodevelopmental disorders, and these patients exhibit profound intellectual and cognitive disability. Pharmacological tools, such as agonists, antagonists, and allosteric modulators, have been the mainstay for targeting mGlu7 in its endogenous homodimeric form to probe effects of its function and modulation in disease models. However, recent research has identified diversity in dimerization, as well as trans-synaptic interacting proteins, that also play a role in mGlu7 signaling and pharmacological properties. These novel findings represent exciting opportunities in the field of mGlu receptor drug discovery and highlight the importance of further understanding the functions of mGlu7 in complex neurologic conditions at both the molecular and physiologic levels. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Proper expression and function of mGlu7 is essential for learning, attention, and memory formation at the molecular level within neural circuits. The pharmacological targeting of mGlu7 is undergoing a paradigm shift by incorporating an understanding of receptor interaction with other cis- and trans- acting synaptic proteins, as well as various intracellular signaling pathways. Based upon these new findings, mGlu7's potential as a drug target in the treatment of cognitive disorders and learning impairments is primed for exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harrison H Parent
- Department of Pharmacology (H.H.P., C.M.N.), Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery (H.H.P., C.M.N.), Vanderbilt Brain Institute (C.M.N.), and Vanderbilt Institute for Chemical Biology (C.M.N.), Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee (C.M.N.)
| | - Colleen M Niswender
- Department of Pharmacology (H.H.P., C.M.N.), Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery (H.H.P., C.M.N.), Vanderbilt Brain Institute (C.M.N.), and Vanderbilt Institute for Chemical Biology (C.M.N.), Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee (C.M.N.)
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Lee J, Gonzalez-Hernandez AJ, Kristt M, Abreu N, Roßmann K, Arefin A, Marx DC, Broichhagen J, Levitz J. Distinct beta-arrestin coupling and intracellular trafficking of metabotropic glutamate receptor homo- and heterodimers. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadi8076. [PMID: 38055809 PMCID: PMC10699790 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi8076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
The metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are family C, dimeric G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which play critical roles in synaptic transmission. Despite an increasing appreciation of the molecular diversity of this family, how distinct mGluR subtypes are regulated remains poorly understood. We reveal that different group II/III mGluR subtypes show markedly different beta-arrestin (β-arr) coupling and endocytic trafficking. While mGluR2 is resistant to internalization and mGluR3 shows transient β-arr coupling, which enables endocytosis and recycling, mGluR8 and β-arr form stable complexes, which leads to efficient lysosomal targeting and degradation. Using chimeras and mutagenesis, we pinpoint carboxyl-terminal domain regions that control β-arr coupling and trafficking, including the identification of an mGluR8 splice variant with impaired internalization. We then use a battery of high-resolution fluorescence assays to find that heterodimerization further expands the diversity of mGluR regulation. Together, this work provides insight into the relationship between GPCR/β-arr complex formation and trafficking while revealing diversity and intricacy in the regulation of mGluRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joon Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | | | - Melanie Kristt
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Nohely Abreu
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Kilian Roßmann
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Anisul Arefin
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Dagan C. Marx
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | | | - Joshua Levitz
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
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Liu L, Lin L, Shen C, Rondard P, Pin JP, Xu C, Liu J. Asymmetric activation of dimeric GABA B and metabotropic glutamate receptors. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2023; 325:C79-C89. [PMID: 37184233 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00150.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent the largest family of membrane proteins and are important drug targets. GPCRs are allosteric machines that transduce an extracellular signal to the cell by activating heterotrimeric G proteins. Herein, we summarize the recent advancements in the molecular activation mechanism of the γ-aminobutyric acid type B (GABAB) and metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors, the most important class C GPCRs that modulate synaptic transmission in the brain. Both are mandatory dimers, this quaternary structure being needed for their function The structures of these receptors in different conformations and in complexes with G proteins have revealed their asymmetric activation. This asymmetry is further highlighted by the recent discovery of mGlu heterodimers, where the eight mGlu subunits can form specific and functional heterodimers. Finally, the development of allosteric modulators has revealed new possibilities for regulating the function of these receptors by targeting the transmembrane dimer interface. This family of receptors never ceases to astonish and serve as models to better understand the diversity and asymmetric functioning of GPCRs.NEW & NOTEWORTHY γ-aminobutyric acid type B (GABAB) and metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors form constitutive dimers, which are required for their function. They serve as models to better understand the diversity and activation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). The structures of these receptors in different conformations and in complexes with G proteins have revealed their asymmetric activation. This asymmetry is further highlighted by the recent discovery of specific and functional mGlu heterodimers. Allosteric modulators can be developed to target the transmembrane interface and modulate the asymmetry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Liu
- Cellular Signaling Laboratory, International Research Center for Sensory Biology and Technology of MOST, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of MOE, and College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Lin
- Cellular Signaling Laboratory, International Research Center for Sensory Biology and Technology of MOST, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of MOE, and College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Cangsong Shen
- Cellular Signaling Laboratory, International Research Center for Sensory Biology and Technology of MOST, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of MOE, and College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Philippe Rondard
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-Philippe Pin
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Chanjuan Xu
- Cellular Signaling Laboratory, International Research Center for Sensory Biology and Technology of MOST, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of MOE, and College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianfeng Liu
- Cellular Signaling Laboratory, International Research Center for Sensory Biology and Technology of MOST, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of MOE, and College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
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7
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Freitas GA, Niswender CM. GRM7 gene mutations and consequences for neurodevelopment. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2023; 225:173546. [PMID: 37003303 PMCID: PMC10192299 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2023.173546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
The metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (mGlu7), encoded by the GRM7 gene in humans, is a presynaptic, G protein-coupled glutamate receptor that is essential for modulating neurotransmission. Mutations in or reduced expression of GRM7 have been identified in different genetic neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), and rare biallelic missense variants have been proposed to underlie a subset of NDDs. Clinical GRM7 variants have been associated with a range of symptoms consistent with neurodevelopmental molecular features, including hypomyelination, brain atrophy and defects in axon outgrowth. Here, we review the newest findings regarding the cellular and molecular defects caused by GRM7 variants in NDD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geanne A Freitas
- Department of Pharmacology and Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, United States of America
| | - Colleen M Niswender
- Department of Pharmacology and Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, United States of America; Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, United States of America; Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, United States of America; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, United States of America.
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Holter KM, Pierce BE, Gould RW. Metabotropic glutamate receptor function and regulation of sleep-wake cycles. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 168:93-175. [PMID: 36868636 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2022.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors are the most abundant family of G-protein coupled receptors and are widely expressed throughout the central nervous system (CNS). Alterations in glutamate homeostasis, including dysregulations in mGlu receptor function, have been indicated as key contributors to multiple CNS disorders. Fluctuations in mGlu receptor expression and function also occur across diurnal sleep-wake cycles. Sleep disturbances including insomnia are frequently comorbid with neuropsychiatric, neurodevelopmental, and neurodegenerative conditions. These often precede behavioral symptoms and/or correlate with symptom severity and relapse. Chronic sleep disturbances may also be a consequence of primary symptom progression and can exacerbate neurodegeneration in disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thus, there is a bidirectional relationship between sleep disturbances and CNS disorders; disrupted sleep may serve as both a cause and a consequence of the disorder. Importantly, comorbid sleep disturbances are rarely a direct target of primary pharmacological treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders even though improving sleep can positively impact other symptom clusters. This chapter details known roles of mGlu receptor subtypes in both sleep-wake regulation and CNS disorders focusing on schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, AD, and substance use disorder (cocaine and opioid). In this chapter, preclinical electrophysiological, genetic, and pharmacological studies are described, and, when possible, human genetic, imaging, and post-mortem studies are also discussed. In addition to reviewing the important relationships between sleep, mGlu receptors, and CNS disorders, this chapter highlights the development of selective mGlu receptor ligands that hold promise for improving both primary symptoms and sleep disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly M Holter
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Bethany E Pierce
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Robert W Gould
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States.
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