Metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 is an excitatory Gq-coupled G protein-coupled receptor [5] predominantly expressed on the postsynaptic sites of neurons. [6] In humans, it is encoded by the GRM5 gene. [7] [8]
Metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 is an excitatory Gq-coupled G protein-coupled receptor [5] predominantly expressed on the postsynaptic sites of neurons. [6] In humans, it is encoded by the GRM5 gene. [7] [8]
The amino acid L-glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and activates both ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors. Glutamatergic neurotransmission is involved in most aspects of normal brain function and can be perturbed in many neuropathologic conditions. The metabotropic glutamate receptors are a family of G protein-coupled receptors, that have been divided into 3 groups on the basis of sequence homology, putative signal transduction mechanisms, and pharmacological properties. Group I includes GRM1 and GRM5 and these receptors have been shown to activate phospholipase C. Group II includes GRM2 and GRM3 while Group III includes GRM4, GRM6, GRM7, and GRM8. Group II and III receptors are linked to the inhibition of the cyclic AMP cascade but differ in their agonist selectivities. Alternative splice variants of GRM8 have been described but their full-length nature has not been determined. [8]
There has been extensive research into the role of mGluR5 in psychological disorders, such as addiction [9] and anxiety. [10] Emerging research strongly points to mGluR5 playing a direct role in the pathogenesis of alcohol use disorder in humans, showing intimate involvement in the development of behavioral sensitization towards ethanol in animal models.
In addition to the orthosteric site (the site where the endogenous ligand glutamate binds) at least two distinct allosteric binding sites exist on the mGluR5. [11] A respectable number of potent and selective mGluR5 ligands, which also comprise PET radiotracers, has been developed to date. [12] Selective antagonists and negative allosteric modulators of mGluR5 are a particular area of interest for pharmaceutical research, due to their demonstrated anxiolytic, antidepressant and anti-addictive [13] [14] [15] effects in animal studies and their relatively benign safety profile. [16] [17] mGluR5 receptors are also expressed outside the central nervous system, and mGluR5 antagonists have been shown to be hepatoprotective and may also be useful for the treatment of inflammation and neuropathic pain. [18] [19] The clinical use of these drugs may be limited by side effects such as amnesia and psychotomimetic symptoms, [20] [21] [22] [23] but these could be an advantage for some indications, [24] or conversely mGluR5 positive modulators may have nootropic effects. [25]
Mice with a knocked out mGluR5 show a lack of cocaine self-administration regardless of dose. [37] This suggested that the receptor may be intimately involved in integrating the rewarding properties of cocaine. However, a later study showed that mGluR5 knockout mice responded the same to cocaine reward as wild type mice demonstrated by a cocaine place-preference paradigm. [38] This evidence taken together shows that mGluR5 may be crucial for drug-related instrumental self-administration learning, but not conditioned associations.
The metabotropic glutamate receptors, or mGluRs, are a type of glutamate receptor that are active through an indirect metabotropic process. They are members of the group C family of G-protein-coupled receptors, or GPCRs. Like all glutamate receptors, mGluRs bind with glutamate, an amino acid that functions as an excitatory neurotransmitter.
Fenobam is an imidazole derivative developed by McNeil Laboratories in the late 1970s as a novel anxiolytic drug with an at-the-time-unidentified molecular target in the brain. Subsequently, it was determined that fenobam acts as a potent and selective negative allosteric modulator of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype mGluR5, and it has been used as a lead compound for the development of a range of newer mGluR5 antagonists.
The glutamate receptor, metabotropic 1, also known as GRM1, is a human gene which encodes the metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1) protein.
Metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGluR2) is a protein that, in humans, is encoded by the GRM2 gene. mGluR2 is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that couples with the Gi alpha subunit. The receptor functions as an autoreceptor for glutamate, that upon activation, inhibits the emptying of vesicular contents at the presynaptic terminal of glutamatergic neurons.
Metabotropic glutamate receptor 3 (mGluR3) is an inhibitory Gi/G0-coupled G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) generally localized to presynaptic sites of neurons in classical circuits. However, in higher cortical circuits in primates, mGluR3 are localized post-synaptically, where they strengthen rather than weaken synaptic connectivity. In humans, mGluR3 is encoded by the GRM3 gene. Deficits in mGluR3 signaling have been linked to impaired cognition in humans, and to increased risk of schizophrenia, consistent with their expanding role in cortical evolution.
Metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the GRM4 gene.
Metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the GRM7 gene.
Metabotropic glutamate receptor 8 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the GRM8 gene.
LY-341495 is a research drug developed by the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, which acts as a potent and selective orthosteric antagonist for the group II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR2/3).
Biphenylindanone A is a research agent which acts as a potent and selective positive allosteric modulator for the group II metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype mGluR2.
DMeOB is a drug used in scientific research which acts as a negative allosteric modulator of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype mGluR5.
PHCCC is a research drug which acts as a glutamate receptor ligand, particularly being a positive allosteric modulator at the mGluR4 subtype, as well as an agonist at mGluR6. It has anxiolytic effects in animal studies. PHCCC and similar drugs have been suggested as novel treatments for Parkinson's disease.
ADX-47273 is a research pharmaceutical developed by Addex Therapeutics which acts as a positive allosteric modulator (PAM) selective for the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype mGluR5. It has nootropic and antipsychotic effects in animal studies, and has been used as a lead compound to develop improved derivatives.
SIB-1893 is a drug used in scientific research which was one of the first compounds developed that acts as a selective antagonist for the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype mGluR5. It has anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects, and reduces glutamate release. It has also been found to act as a positive allosteric modulator of mGluR4.
CDPPB is a drug used in scientific research which acts as a positive allosteric modulator selective for the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype mGluR5. It has antipsychotic effects in animal models, and mGluR5 modulators are under investigation as potential drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia, as well as other applications.
Ro01-6128 is a drug used in scientific research, which acts as a selective positive allosteric modulator for the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype mGluR1. It was derived by modification of a lead compound found via high-throughput screening, and was further developed to give the improved compound Ro67-4853.
Ro67-4853 is a drug used in scientific research, which acts as a selective positive allosteric modulator for the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype mGluR1. It was derived by modification of the simpler compound Ro01-6128, and has itself subsequently been used as a lead compound to develop a range of potent and selective mGluR1 positive modulators.
LY-487,379 is a drug used in scientific research that acts as a selective positive allosteric modulator for the metabotropic glutamate receptor group II subtype mGluR2. It is used to study the structure and function of this receptor subtype, and LY-487,379 along with various other mGluR2/3 agonists and positive modulators are being investigated as possible antipsychotic and anxiolytic drugs.
ADX-71149, also known as JNJ-40411813 and JNJ-mGluR2-PAM, is a selective positive allosteric modulator of the mGlu2 receptor. It is being studied by Addex Therapeutics and Janssen Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of schizophrenia. It was also researched by these companies for the treatment of anxious depression, but although some efficacy was observed in clinical trials, it was not enough to warrant further development for this indication. As of 2015, ADX-71149 is in phase II clinical trials for schizophrenia.
XAP044 is a drug which acts as a potent and selective antagonist of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (mGluR7). It inhibits long-term potentiation in the amygdala and inhibits responses associated with stress and anxiety in animal models, as well as being used to study the role of mGluR7 in various other processes.
This article incorporates text from the United States National Library of Medicine, which is in the public domain.