Blocking metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 7 (mGlu7) via the venus flytrap domain (VFTD) inhibits amygdala plasticity, stress, and anxiety-related behavior

Abstract

Background: Behavioral genetics identified mGlu7 as a key regulator of brain emotion circuits. Results: An mGlu7-selective, Venus flytrap domain (VFTD)-directed antagonist inhibits fear, synaptic plasticity, stress, and anxiety in rodents. Conclusion: Pharmacological blockers of mGlu7 may represent promising future anxiolytics and antidepressants in man. Significance: The VFTD region of class C GPCRs provides a promising target for computer-assisted drug design. © 2014 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.