Regulatory Roles of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors on Synaptic Communication Mediated by Gap Junctions. (21st February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cachope, Roger; Pereda, Alberto E.
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience. Volume 456(2021)
• Page Start: 85
• Page End: 94
• Publication Date: 2021-02-21
• Subjects: CaMKII calcium-calmodulin kinase II -- cAMP cyclic adenosine monophosphate -- CC coupling coefficient -- Cx36 connexin 36 -- GDP guanosine 5′-diphosphate -- GTP guanosine 5′-triphosphate -- mGluRs metabotropic glutamate receptor family -- PKA protein kinase A -- NMDARs N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors -- GPCRs G-protein-coupled receptors -- GABARs gamma aminobutyric acid receptors; connexin -- electrical coupling -- synaptic plasticity -- synaptic development -- neuronal injury; Neurochemistry -- Periodicals; Neurophysiology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurochimie -- Périodiques; Neurophysiologie -- Périodiques; Neurochemistry; Neurophysiology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.06.034
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4522

Abstract

Highlights: Gap junction-mediated inter-neuronal communication is regulated by mGluRs. mGluRs trigger long-term changes in electrical synaptic transmission. mGluR actions on electrical synapses might also involve other neurotransmitters. These interactions play relevant roles during neurodevelopment and brain injury. Abstract: Variations of synaptic strength are thought to underlie forms of learning and can functionally reshape neural circuits. Metabotropic glutamate receptors play key roles in regulating the strength of chemical synapses. However, information within neural circuits is also conveyed via a second modality of transmission: gap junction-mediated synapses. We review here evidence indicating that metabotropic glutamate receptors also play important roles in the regulation of synaptic communication mediated by neuronal gap junctions, also known as 'electrical synapses'. Activity-driven interactions between metabotropic glutamate receptors and neuronal gap junctions can lead to long-term changes in the strength of electrical synapses. Further, the regulatory action of metabotropic glutamate receptors on neuronal gap junctions is not restricted to adulthood but is also of critical relevance during brain development and contributes to the pathological mechanisms that follow brain injury.