Metabotropic Glutamate 1α and Adenosine A1 Receptors Assemble into Functionally Interacting Complexes

Abstract

Recently, evidence has emerged that seven transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors may be present as homo- and heteromers in the plasma membrane. Here we describe a new molecular and functional interaction between two functionally unrelated types of G protein-coupled receptors, namely the metabotropic glutamate type 1α (mGlu1α receptor) and the adenosine A1 receptors in cerebellum, primary cortical neurons, and heterologous transfected cells. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments showed a close and subtype-specific interaction between mGlu1α and A1 receptors in both rat cerebellar synaptosomes and co-transfected HEK-293 cells. By using transiently transfected HEK-293 cells a synergy between mGlu1α and Al receptors in receptor-evoked [Ca2+]i signaling has been shown. In primary cultures of cortical neurons we observed a high degree of co-localization of the two receptors, and excitotoxicity experiments in these cultures also indicate that mGlu1α and A1 receptors are functionally related. Our results provide a molecular basis for adenosine/glutamate receptors cross-talk and open new perspectives for the development of novel agents to treat neuropsychiatric disorders in which abnormal glutamatergic neurotransmission is involved.