Efficient cell-to-cell communication relies on the accurate signalling of cell surface receptors. Understanding the molecular bases of their activation requires the characterization of the dynamic equilibrium between active and resting states. Here, we monitor, using single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer, the kinetics of the reorientation of the extracellular ligand-binding domain of the metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR), a class C G-protein-coupled receptor. We demonstrate that most receptors oscillate between a resting-and an active-conformation on a sub-millisecond timescale. Interestingly, we demonstrate that differences in agonist efficacies stem from differing abilities to shift the conformational equilibrium towards the fully active state, rather than from the stabilization of alternative static conformations, which further highlights the dynamic nature of mGluRs and revises our understanding of receptor activation and allosteric modulation.

Due to the essential roles of glutamate, detection and response to a large range of extracellular concentrations of this excitatory amino acid are necessary for the fine-tuning of brain functions. Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are implicated in shaping the activity of many synapses in the central nervous system. Among the eight mGluR subtypes, there is increasing interest in studying the mGlu receptor which has recently been linked to various diseases, including psychiatric disorders. This receptor displays striking functional properties, with a high and, often, full basal activity, making its study elusive in heterologous systems. Here, we demonstrate that Cl ions exert strong positive allosteric modulation of glutamate on the mGlu receptor. We have also identified the molecular and structural determinants lying behind this allostery: a unique interactive "chloride-lock" network. Indeed, Cl ions dramatically stabilize the glutamate-induced active state of the extracellular domain of the mGlu receptor. Thus, the mGlu receptors' large basal activity does not correspond to a constitutive activity in absence of agonist. Instead, it results mostly from a Clmediated amplified response to low ambient glutamate concentrations, such as those measured in cell media. This strong interaction between glutamate and Cl ions allows the mGlu receptor to sense and efficiently react to sub-micromolar concentrations of glutamate, making it the most sensitive member of mGluR family.