Adenosine-glutamate receptor-receptor interactions in the central nervous system

Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous s ystem and its function through ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate recept ors can he modulated by other neurotransmitters/neuromodulators. Recently, evidence has emerged that seven transmembrane G-protein-coupled receptors ( GPCRs) may be present as homo- and heteromers in the plasma membrane. Here we propose a new molecular and functional interaction between two unrelated types of GPCR, namely the metabotropic glutamate type 1 alpha and the aden osine A1 receptors in the central nervous system. Apart from providing a mo lecular basis for adenosine/glutamate receptor cross-talk, this interaction may lead to the development of novel reagents to treat neuropsychiatric di sorders in which abnormal glutamatergic neurotransmission is involved. Drug Dev. Res. 52:316-322, 2001. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.