Metabotropic glutamate receptor 8

Metabotropic glutamate receptor 8 is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the GRM8 is_associated_with::gene.

Function
is_associated_with::L-glutamate is the major is_associated_with::excitatory neurotransmitter in the is_associated_with::central nervous system and activates both is_associated_with::ionotropic and is_associated_with::metabotropic glutamate receptors. is_associated_with::Glutamatergic neurotransmission is involved in most aspects of normal brain function and can be perturbed in many neuropathologic conditions. The metabotropic glutamate receptors are a family of is_associated_with::G protein-coupled receptors, that have been divided into 3 groups on the basis of sequence homology, putative signal transduction mechanisms, and pharmacologic properties. Group I includes is_associated_with::GRM1 and is_associated_with::GRM5 and these receptors have been shown to activate phospholipase C. Group II includes is_associated_with::GRM2 and is_associated_with::GRM3 while Group III includes is_associated_with::GRM4, is_associated_with::GRM6, is_associated_with::GRM7 and GRM8. Group II and III receptors are linked to the inhibition of the is_associated_with::cyclic AMP cascade but differ in their agonist selectivities. Alternative is_associated_with::splice variants of GRM8 have been described but their full-length nature has not been determined.

Ligands

 * (S)-3,4-DCPG: agonist

Model organisms
is_associated_with::Model organisms have been used in the study of GRM8 function. A conditional is_associated_with::knockout mouse line called Grm8tm2a(KOMP)Wtsi was generated at the is_associated_with::Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. Male and female animals underwent a standardized is_associated_with::phenotypic screen to determine the effects of deletion. Additional screens performed: - In-depth immunological phenotyping

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