The voltage sensitivity of G-protein coupled receptors: Unraveling molecular mechanisms and physiological implications.

In the landscape of proteins controlled by membrane voltage (V), like voltage-gated ionotropic channels, the emergence of the voltage sensitivity within the vast family of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) marked a significant milestone at the onset of the 21st century. Since its discovery, extensive research has been devoted to understanding the intricate relationship between V and GPCRs. Approximately 30 GPCRs out of a family comprising more than 800 receptors have been implicated in V-dependent positive and negative regulation.

Voltage tunes mGlu receptor function, impacting synaptic transmission.

Background And Purpose: Voltage sensitivity is a common feature of many membrane proteins, including some G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). However, the functional consequences of voltage sensitivity in GPCRs are not well understood.

Experimental Approach: In this study, we investigated the voltage sensitivity of the post-synaptic metabotropic glutamate receptor mGlu and its impact on synaptic transmission.