mGluR1 in cerebellar Purkinje cells essential for long-term depression, synapse elimination, and motor coordination

Science. 2000 Jun 9;288(5472):1832-5. doi: 10.1126/science.288.5472.1832.

Abstract

Targeted deletion of metabotropic glutamate receptor-subtype 1 (mGluR1) gene can cause defects in development and function in the cerebellum. We introduced the mGluR1alpha transgene into mGluR1-null mutant [mGluR1 (-/-)] mice with a Purkinje cell (PC)-specific promoter. mGluR1-rescue mice showed normal cerebellar long-term depression and regression of multiple climbing fiber innervation, events significantly impaired in mGluR1 (-/-) mice. The impaired motor coordination was rescued by this transgene, in a dose-dependent manner. We propose that mGluR1 in PCs is a key molecule for normal synapse formation, synaptic plasticity, and motor control in the cerebellum.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials
  • Gene Targeting
  • Locomotion
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Motor Activity / physiology*
  • Nerve Fibers / physiology
  • Neuronal Plasticity / physiology*
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology*
  • Purkinje Cells / physiology*
  • Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / genetics
  • Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / physiology*
  • Synapses / physiology*
  • Transgenes

Substances

  • Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate
  • metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1