Metabotropic glutamate receptors as targets of neuromodulatory influence of nitric oxide

A possible effect of nitric oxide (NO) on metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) function in the amino acid afferent synapse was investigated in the isolated labyrinth of the frog Rana temporaria. The modification of the amplitude of responses of metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist trans-ACPD was analyzed during bath applied NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine SNAP (0.1–100 μM) or nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME. It was shown that NO donor SNAP (1 μM) inhibited mGluR induced responses, and the inhibitor of NO-synthase L-NAME (100 μM) increased the amplitude of trans-ACPD evoked answers. The results suggest that NO can depress mGluR function due to modulation of functions of the endoplasmic reticulum channels.