Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are a diverse and abundant class of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that mediate the transmitter and modulatory actions of glutamate, the most abundant and ubiquitous transmitter in the vertebrate CNS. Based on the important role these receptors have in synaptic plasticity, neuronal development, and the modulation of synaptic transmission, it is likely that appropriate functioning of these receptors is a critical determinant of the cell biology underlying mental health and disease. In this application, we propose a series of experiments to continue investigating the structural basis and functional consequences of mGluR dimerization. We discovered this phenomena, shown it is due to a homodisulfide between cys129 of two mGlu5 polypeptides, and have demonstrated that, surprisingly, covalent dimerization is not critically essential for agonist binding or signal transduction through mGlu5, but is important for receptor stability. To explore in more detail the functional role of covalent mGluR dimerization, a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments are proposed here. We will undertake a detailed comparison between the biochemical, kinetic, and cell biological properties of wt and dimerization-deficient receptors in heterologous expression systems. We will produce transgenic mouse lines in which the mutant receptor incapable of covalent dimerization replaces the wt. These animals will be used for in vivo studies on the function of the receptor, including the responses of the animals to hyperthermia and ischemia, and as a source of tissue and cells expressing the mutant receptor in situ, which will be used for in vitro experiments. We have also shown that there are non-covalent associations between mGlu5 polypeptides. Here we propose a set of experiments to ascertain the specific parts of the molecule mediating this dimerization. Related studies will explore how the cell achieves subtype-specific assembly of mGluR dimers. We anticipate that these investigations of mGluR dimerization will deepen our understanding of neural communication and signal transduction, processes that underlie brain function and dysfunction.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH057817-05
Application #
6621935
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-MDCN-5 (01))
Program Officer
Brady, Linda S
Project Start
1998-03-01
Project End
2006-11-30
Budget Start
2002-12-01
Budget End
2003-11-30
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$385,000
Indirect Cost
Name
Washington University
Department
Ophthalmology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
068552207
City
Saint Louis
State
MO
Country
United States
Zip Code
63130
Jong, Yuh-Jiin I; O'Malley, Karen L (2017) Mechanisms Associated with Activation of Intracellular Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor, mGluR5. Neurochem Res 42:166-172
Sergin, Ismail; Jong, Yuh-Jiin I; Harmon, Steven K et al. (2017) Sequences within the C Terminus of the Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 5 (mGluR5) Are Responsible for Inner Nuclear Membrane Localization. J Biol Chem 292:3637-3655
Jong, Yuh-Jiin I; O'Malley, Karen L (2015) Functional G protein-coupled receptors on nuclei from brain and primary cultured neurons. Methods Mol Biol 1234:113-21
Jong, Yuh-Jiin I; Sergin, Ismail; Purgert, Carolyn A et al. (2014) Location-dependent signaling of the group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptor mGlu5. Mol Pharmacol 86:774-85
Kumar, Vikas; Fahey, Paul G; Jong, Yuh-Jiin I et al. (2012) Activation of intracellular metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 in striatal neurons leads to up-regulation of genes associated with sustained synaptic transmission including Arc/Arg3.1 protein. J Biol Chem 287:5412-25
Jong, Yuh-Jiin I; Kumar, Vikas; O'Malley, Karen L (2009) Intracellular metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) activates signaling cascades distinct from cell surface counterparts. J Biol Chem 284:35827-38
Kumar, Vikas; Jong, Yuh-Jiin I; O'Malley, Karen L (2008) Activated nuclear metabotropic glutamate receptor mGlu5 couples to nuclear Gq/11 proteins to generate inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-mediated nuclear Ca2+ release. J Biol Chem 283:14072-83
Jong, Yuh-Jiin I; Schwetye, Katherine E; O'Malley, Karen L (2007) Nuclear localization of functional metabotropic glutamate receptor mGlu1 in HEK293 cells and cortical neurons: role in nuclear calcium mobilization and development. J Neurochem 101:458-69
Jong, Yuh-Jiin I; Kumar, Vikas; Kingston, Ann E et al. (2005) Functional metabotropic glutamate receptors on nuclei from brain and primary cultured striatal neurons. Role of transporters in delivering ligand. J Biol Chem 280:30469-80
Higgs, M H; Romano, C; Lukasiewicz, P D (2002) Presynaptic effects of group III metabotropic glutamate receptors on excitatory synaptic transmission in the retina. Neuroscience 115:163-72

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