The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) is enriched in synaptic structures. Recently, we found that synaptic ERK directly binds to group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR1 and mGluR5) and phosphorylates mGluR5a at a cluster of serine sites in the C-terminal region. These findings for the first time provide direct evidence supporting a synaptic G protein-coupled receptor as a nonnuclear substrate of ERK. Encouraged by this new discovery, we propose this renewal application to further profile this previously unrecognized ERK-mGluR1/5 coupling at synaptic sites and define its roles in glutamate receptor plasticity and psychostimulant addiction. Our overarching and expanded hypothesis is that MAPK/ERK regulates synaptic mGluR1/5 physiology and links mGluR1/5 plasticity to stimulant addiction. Using multidisciplinary approaches, this hypothesis will be tested both in vitro and in vivo, as appropriate, in the four inter-supportive Aims.
Specific Aim I will identify accurate ERK-mediated phosphorylation sites in mGluR1 and mGluR5 and will characterize the biochemical and enzymatic properties of mGluR1/5 phosphorylation.
Specific Aim II will confirm the interaction of native ERK with mGluR1/5 at synaptic sites in neurons and will determine whether the ERK-mediated phosphorylation is a regulatory event and is subject to the activity-dependent modulation by changing synaptic inputs.
Specific Aim III will evaluate the physiological relevance of ERK-mGluR1/5 interactions. The role of ERK in regulating mGluR1/5 expression and function and underlying mechanisms will be investigated in neurons or heterologous cells. Finally, Specific IV will define the pathophysiological relevance of the synaptic ERK-mGluR1/5 coupling in psychostimulant addiction. Both conditioned place preference and self-administration paradigms are utilized to assess its role in amphetamine seeking behavior. Results achieved here will conceptually advance the understanding of network glutamate receptor signaling and will contribute to the development of novel pharmacotherapies, by targeting MAPK/ERK and mGluR1/5, for the treatment of stimulant addiction or various mental illnesses stemmed from drug abuse.
This research project investigates phosphorylation and regulation of metabotropic glutamate receptors and roles of the receptor in drugs of abuse. The information obtained through this project is valuable for the understanding of glutamate receptor biology and development of new pharmacotherapies for treatment of addictive disorders.
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