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Article

  • The EMBO Journal (2002) 21, 2990 - 2999
  • doi:10.1093/emboj/cdf313

PICK1 is required for the control of synaptic transmission by the metabotropic glutamate receptor 7

J. Perroy1, O. El Far2, F. Bertaso1, J.P. Pin1, H. Betz2, J. Bockaert1 and L. Fagni1

  1. UPR CNRS 9023, CCIPE, 141 Rue de la Cardonille, 34094 Montpellier, Cedex 05, France
  2. Max-Planck Institute für Hirnforschung, Postfach 710662, D-60528 Frankfurt, Germany

Correspondence to:

L. Fagni, E-mail: fagni@montp.inserm.fr

Received 4 January 2002; Accepted 29 April 2002; Revised 26 April 2002

Both postsynaptic density and presynaptic active zone are structural matrix containing scaffolding proteins that are involved in the organization of the synapse. Little is known about the functional role of these proteins in the signaling of presynaptic receptors. Here we show that the interaction of the presynaptic metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptor subtype, mGlu7a, with the postsynaptic density-95 disc-large zona occludens 1 (PDZ) domain-containing protein, PICK1, is required for specific inhibition of P/Q-type Ca2+ channels, in cultured cerebellar granule neurons. Furthermore, we show that activation of the presynaptic mGlu7a receptor inhibits synaptic transmission and this effect also requires the presence of PICK1. These results indicate that the scaffolding protein, PICK1, plays an essential role in the control of synaptic transmission by the mGlu7a receptor complex.

  • Keywords:

    • calcium channels,
    • mGlu receptor,
    • PICK1,
    • synaptic transmission