Enhanced mGluR1 function causes motor deficits and region-specific Purkinje cell dysfunction.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 41525334.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1093/brain/awaf477 and PMC identifier 13431802.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are autosomal dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disorders with no effective treatment. Aberrant signalling through the metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR1) has been implicated in several SCAs. However, whether disease is caused through decreased or increased mGluR1 signalling remains controversial. Here, we generate the first mouse model of enhanced mGluR1 function by introducing a patient gain-of-function mutation (p.Y792C) that causes SCA44 in the metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (Grm1) gene. Grm1 mutant mice recapitulate key pathophysiological aspects of SCA, including progressive motor deficits, altered climbing fibre innervation and perturbed Purkinje cell (PC) spontaneous activity. We report that changes in synaptic innervation and intrinsic PC activity upon overactive mGluR1 signalling manifest in a lobule- and disease-stage-specific manner. Our findings demonstrate that enhanced mGluR1 function is a direct and specific driver of PC dysfunction and pathology and provide a mechanism for understanding the selective vulnerability of different PC populations in SCA.
Medical subject headings
- Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate
- Purkinje Cells
- Spinocerebellar Ataxias