Topic: mGluR5

Epilepsy and autism spectrum disorder have a high degree of comorbidity, likely due to shared underlying predisposing factors. Loss of αV and β3 integrin subunits have been implicated in the onset of epilepsy and autism, respectively. However, the role of the αVβ3 integrin receptor in these disorders remains unclear. Integrins are heterodimeric receptors involved in mechanotransduction between the extracellular matrix and the intracellular cytoskeleton. In the brain, β3 integrin forms heterodimers with αV integrin, regulating the synaptic localization of GluA2-containig AMPA receptors (AMPARs)

Astrocytes, beyond their pivotal role as supporting cells, are recently considered to be dynamic modulators of neuronal activity and synaptic plasticity. This effect is mainly through their Ca2+ signaling cascades which result in a release of gliotransmitters. Glutamate as an important neurotransmitter which is crucial for many cognitive functions can modulate astrocytic Ca2+ signaling via their receptors. Considering that these processes have largely been studied in young animals, along with the association of aging with various diseases, this study aims to explore the age-dependent changes i

Metabotropic glutamate receptor-dependent long-term depression (mGluR-LTD) is an important form of synaptic plasticity that occurs in many regions of the brain and is the underlying mechanism for several learning paradigms. In the hippocampus, mGluR-LTD is manifested by the weakening of synaptic transmission and elimination of dendritic spines. Interestingly, not all spines respond or undergo plasticity equally in response to mGluR-LTD. A subset of mature and more stable dendritic spines containing synaptopodin (SP), an actin-associated protein involved in local protein synthesis and calcium d

Group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR) are involved in various forms of synaptic plasticity that underlie declarative memory by inducing long-term depression (mGluR-LTD). mGLUR-LTD results from an endocytosis of the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPARs) underlying synaptic depression. The lab has previously shown that mGluR5 specifically activates TRPC1 channel, a Transient Receptor Potential channel that is highly expressed in CA1-3 regions of the hippocampus.To investigate the role of mGluR-TRPC1 in synaptic plasticity, and to decipher its downstre

Understanding the neurobiological alterations associated with neuropathic pain is crucial for treatment interventions, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Neuropathic pain causes many alterations in brain regions, including the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). The mPFC activity is decreased in the neuropathic pain state, which is associated with increased metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) activity in this region. Here, we investigated whether mGluR5 inactivation restores neuropathic pain and, if so, how this inactivation affects local circuits in the mPFC. First, w

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) are the largest family of membrane proteins in the human genome and represent targets of about 30% of the marketed drugs. Among GPCRs, metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are interesting targets as they regulate neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission in the central nervous system, and are involved in various brain diseases. Due to the lack of specific tools, their specific subunit composition in native tissues is still difficult to determine. Finding highly specific tools to target each mGluR subunit is still a challenge that single domain anti

Aims: Metabotropic glutamate 5 receptors (mGluR5) signaling pathway has been implicated in the maintenance of the excitation/inhibition (E/I) balance in neuronal networks, and thus to contribute to appropriate processing of emotional information and regulation of fear-related behavior. However, numerous gaps remain in our current knowledge of the neural substrates of fear, in particular, the assessment of the role of those receptors in one of the central nodes of the brain neurocircuitry for fear, namely the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). The aim of this study was to assess the impact of pho

Astrocytes were seen for a long time as supportive cells in the central nervous system. However, evidence points to the pivotal role of these cells in brain function, including the modulation of synaptic transmission. Astrocytes express neurotransmitter receptors at the cellular membrane, whose activation may cause somatic calcium elevations and consequently release signaling molecules in the synaptic cleft. The impact of astrocytic signaling in the modulation of neuronal circuits and behavior is still poorly understood. Social behavior results from a complex interaction between brain regions.