Group I metabotropic glutamate receptors: a role in neurodevelopmental disorders?
Group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu1 and mGlu5) are coupled to polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis and are involved in activity-dependent forms of synaptic plasticity, both during development and in the adult life. Group I mGlu receptors can also regulate proliferation, differentiation, and survival of neural stem/progenitor cells, which further support their role in brain development. An exaggerated response to activation of mGlu5 receptors may underlie synaptic dysfunction in Fragile X syndrome, the most common inherited form of mental retardation. In addition, group I mGlu receptors are overexpressed in dysplastic neurons of focal cortical dysplasia and hemimegaloencephaly, which are disorders of cortical development associated with chronic epilepsy. Drugs that block the activity of group I mGlu receptors (in particular, mGlu5 receptors) are potentially helpful for the treatment of Fragile X syndrome and perhaps other neurodevelopmental disorders.
Catania
Maria Vincenza
MV
Institute of Neurological Sciences, National Research Council (CNR), vl. Regina Margherita 6, Catania, 95123, Italy. m.catania@isn.cnr.it
D'Antoni
Simona
S
Bonaccorso
Carmela Maria
CM
Aronica
Eleonora
E
Bear
Mark F
MF
Nicoletti
Ferdinando
F
D000818:Animals; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D005600:Fragile X Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D054220:Malformations of Cortical Development / Q000378:metabolism*; D064529:Receptor, Metabotropic Glutamate 5; D018094:Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / Q000378:metabolism*; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism
D064529:Receptor, Metabotropic Glutamate 5; D018094:Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate; C104077:metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1