SummarySubstantial evidence suggests that chromosomal abnormalities contribute to the risk of autism. The duplication of human chromosome 15q11-13 is known to be the most frequent cytogenetic abnormality in autism. We have modeled this genetic change in mice by using chromosome engineering to generate a 6.3 Mb duplication of the conserved linkage group on mouse chromosome 7. Mice with a paternal duplication display poor social interaction, behavioral inflexibility, abnormal ultrasonic vocalizations, and correlates of anxiety. An increased MBII52 snoRNA within the duplicated region, affecting the serotonin 2c receptor (5-HT2cR), correlates with altered intracellular Ca2+ responses elicited by a 5-HT2cR agonist in neurons of mice with a paternal duplication. This chromosome-engineered mouse model for autism seems to replicate various aspects of human autistic phenotypes and validates the relevance of the human chromosome abnormality. This model will facilitate forward genetics of developmental brain disorders and serve as an invaluable tool for therapeutic development.

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Novel isoxazolopyridone derivatives that are metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) 7 antagonists were discovered and pharmacologically characterized. 5-Methyl-3,6-diphenylisoxazolo [4,5-c]pyridin-4(5H)-one (MDIP) was identified by random screening, and 6-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-3-pyridin-4-ylisoxazolo [4,5-c] In CHO cells coexpressing human mGluR7 with G␣ 15 , MDIP and MMPIP also inhibited the L-AP4-induced cAMP response. The maximal degree of inhibition by MMPIP was higher than that by MDIP in a cAMP assay. MMPIP was able to antagonize an allosteric agonist, the N,NЈ-dibenzhydryl-ethane-1,2-diamine dihydrochloride (AMN082)-induced inhibition of cAMP accumulation. In the absence of these agonists, MMPIP caused a further increase in forskolin-stimulated cAMP levels in CHO cells expressing mGluR7, whereas a competitive antagonist, LY341495, did not. This result indicates that MMPIP has an inverse agonistic activity. The intrinsic activity of MMPIP was pertussis toxin-sensitive and mGluR7-dependent. MMPIP at concentrations of at least 1 M had no significant effect on mGluR1, mGluR2, mGluR3, mGluR4, mGluR5, and mGluR8. MMPIP is the first allosteric mGluR7-selective antagonist that could potentially be useful as a pharmacological tool for elucidating the roles of mGluR7 on central nervous system functions.Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) belong to a family of G protein-coupled receptors thought to contribute to the modulation of neuronal excitability and neurotransmitter release. Eight mGluR subtypes (mGluR1-mGluR8) have been cloned, and they have been classified into three groups based on sequence homology, pharmacological profile, and signal transduction pathway. mGluR1 and mGluR5 belong to group I mGluRs, and they are coupled to phospholipase C and subsequent intracellular calcium release via G q protein. mGluR2 and mGluR3 belong to group II mGluRs, whereas mGluR4, mGluR6, mGluR7, and mGluR8 belong to group III mGluRs. The subtypes of group II and group III mGluRs are negatively coupled to adenylate cyclase via G i protein (Conn and Pin, 1997 , 5-methyl-3,6-diphenylisoxazolo[4,5-c

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In this study, we determined whether either N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors or non-NMDA receptors in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) participate in the baroreceptor reflex in rats. Microinjection of an NMDA receptor antagonist, MK-801, and a non-NMDA receptor antagonist, 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione, into the NTS decreased the sensitivity of the baroreceptor reflex by 51 and 41%, respectively. Simultaneous administration of both agents further reduced the sensitivity of the baroreceptor reflex to 28% of control. A competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, 2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid, also attenuated reflex bradycardia or tachycardia elicited by a single dose of phenylephrine or nitroprusside, respectively. Specificity of each antagonist's effects was supported by selective blockade of depressor responses produced by agonists that act at the NMDA and non-NMDA receptors, respectively. Results of this study indicate that both non-NMDA- and NMDA-sensitive receptors are involved in baroreceptor reflex transmission in the NTS.

A highly potent and selective metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) 1 antagonist, 4-[1-(2-fluoropyridin-3-yl)-5-methyl-1H-1,2, 3-triazol-4-yl]-N-isopropyl-N-methyl-3,6-dihydropyridine-1(2H)-carboxamide (FTIDC), is described. FTIDC inhibits, with equal potency, L-glutamate-induced intracellular Ca 2ϩ mobilization in Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing human, rat, or mouse mGluR1a. The IC 50 value of FTIDC is 5.8 nM for human mGluR1a and 6200 nM for human mGluR5. The maximal response in agonist concentration-response curves was reduced in the presence of higher concentrations of FTIDC, suggesting the inhibition in a noncompetitive manner. FTIDC at 10 M showed no agonistic, antagonistic, or positive allosteric modulatory activity toward mGluR2, mGluR4, mGluR6, mGluR7, or mGluR8. FTIDC did not displace [ 3 H]L-quisqualate binding to human mGluR1a, indicating FTIDC is an allosteric antagonist. Studies using chimeric and mutant receptors of mGluR1 showed that transmembrane (TM) domains 4 to 7, especially Phe801 in TM6 and Thr815 in TM7, play pivotal roles in the antagonism of FTIDC. FTIDC inhibited the constitutive activity of mGluR1a, suggesting that FTIDC acts as an inverse agonist of mGluR1a. Intraperitoneally administered FTIDC inhibited face-washing behavior elicited by a group I mGluR agonist, (S)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine in mice at doses that did not produce motor impairment. Oral administration of FTIDC also inhibited the face-washing behavior. FTIDC is a highly potent and selective allosteric mGluR1 antagonist and a compound having oral activity without species differences in its antagonistic activity on recombinant human, mouse, and rat mGluR1. FTIDC could therefore be a valuable tool for elucidating the functions of mGluR1 not only in rodents but also in humans.Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are G proteincoupled receptors, and they are thought to contribute to the fine-tuning of fast synaptic response, neuronal excitability, and neurotransmitter release. To date, eight mGluR subArticle, publication date, and citation information can be found at