mGluR1 in Cerebellar Purkinje Cells Essential for Long-Term Depression, Synapse Elimination, and Motor Coordination

• DOI: 10.1126/science.288.5472.1832
• Publication Date: 2002-07-27T09:40:50Z
• Authors: Taeko Ichise; Masanobu Kano; Kouichi Hashimoto; Dai Yanagihara; Kazuki Nakao; Ryuichi Shigemoto; Motoya Katsuki; Atsu Aiba
• Keywords: Long-term depression; Parallel fiber; Climbing fiber

Targeted deletion of metabotropic glutamate receptor–subtype 1 (mGluR1) gene can cause defects in development and function the cerebellum. We introduced mGluR1α transgene into mGluR1-null mutant [mGluR1 (–/–)] mice with a Purkinje cell (PC)–specific promoter. mGluR1-rescue showed normal cerebellar long-term depression regression multiple climbing fiber innervation, events significantly impaired mGluR1 (–/–) mice. The motor coordination was rescued by this transgene, dose-dependent manner. propose that PCs is key molecule for synapse formation, synaptic plasticity, control