Phylogenetic Analysis of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors
Location
Georgia Campus
Start Date
7-5-2014 1:00 PM
Description
Glutamate is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and modulates synaptic transmission and neuronal excitability via ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs and mGluRs). The glutamate receptors are essential components for diverse functions and represent potential drug targets for the treatment of a number of neurological and psychiatric disorders. mGluRs are seven-transmembrane proteins with an intracellular G-protein coupled signal transduction pathway, which activates a second messenger cascade upon glutamate binding. In human, the mGluR family consists of eight different subtypes that can be classified into three distinct groups (I–III) based on pharmacological properties. While group I are comprised of receptor subtypes -1 and -5, group II contains mGluR2 and -3, and group III are made of mGluR4, -6, -7, and -8. In this study, we have we phylogenetically characterized the members of the mGluR family in the model organisms including Slime mold (Dictyostelium discoideum), nematode (C. elegans), fruit fly (D. melanogaster), zebrafish (Danio rerio) and mouse (Mus musculus). The distinct features of the phylogenetic development in animals will be presented.
Phylogenetic Analysis of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors
Georgia Campus
Glutamate is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and modulates synaptic transmission and neuronal excitability via ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs and mGluRs). The glutamate receptors are essential components for diverse functions and represent potential drug targets for the treatment of a number of neurological and psychiatric disorders. mGluRs are seven-transmembrane proteins with an intracellular G-protein coupled signal transduction pathway, which activates a second messenger cascade upon glutamate binding. In human, the mGluR family consists of eight different subtypes that can be classified into three distinct groups (I–III) based on pharmacological properties. While group I are comprised of receptor subtypes -1 and -5, group II contains mGluR2 and -3, and group III are made of mGluR4, -6, -7, and -8. In this study, we have we phylogenetically characterized the members of the mGluR family in the model organisms including Slime mold (Dictyostelium discoideum), nematode (C. elegans), fruit fly (D. melanogaster), zebrafish (Danio rerio) and mouse (Mus musculus). The distinct features of the phylogenetic development in animals will be presented.