谷氨酸是中樞神經系統中主要的興奮性神經遞質，激活離子型和代謝型谷氨酸受體。谷氨酸能神經傳遞參與了正常大腦功能的大部分方面，在許多神經病理學條件下可能受到干擾。代謝型谷氨酸受體是一個g蛋白偶聯受體家族，根據序列同源性、推測的信號轉導機制和藥理特性可分為3類。I組包括GRM1和GRM5，這些受體已被證明激活磷脂酶C。II組包括GRM2和GRM3，而III組包括GRM4、GRM6、GRM7和GRM8。II和III類受體與環AMP級聯的抑制有關，但它們的激動劑選擇性不同。[由RefSeq提供，2008年7月]
L-glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and 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. The metabotropic glutamate receptors are a family of G protein-coupled receptors, that have been divided into 3 groups on the basis of sequence homology, putative signal transduction mechanisms, and pharmacologic properties. Group I includes GRM1 and GRM5 and these receptors have been shown to activate phospholipase C. Group II includes GRM2 and GRM3 while Group III includes GRM4, GRM6, GRM7 and GRM8. Group II and III receptors are linked to the inhibition of the cyclic AMP cascade but differ in their agonist selectivities. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]