| Background | The Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor GRM3 binds L-glutamate, the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, which activates both ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors. Glutamatergic neurotransmission is involved in most aspects of normal brain function and can be perturbed in many neuropathologic conditions. Metabotropic glutamate receptor Group II includes the GRM2 and GRM3 receptors that are linked to inhibition of the cyclic AMP signaling cascade. GRM3 has been reported in various regions of the brain and spinal cord. ESTs have been isolated from brain, embryo, fetal lung/testis/B-cell, nerve, placenta, prostate, and vessel libraries. Caution: GLUR3 refers to Ionotropic Glutamate Receptor 3, not to Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 3 (mGLUR3). |