Mechanism-guided identification of antidepressant G protein-coupled receptor drug targets

Abstract

Depression is driven by dysfunction in discrete neural circuits, but a deeper understanding of the underlying molecular and synaptic mechanisms is needed to guide the development of therapeutics. Here, we decipher the mechanisms of action of the fast-acting antidepressant ketamine to enable the identification of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) antidepressant targets. We find that the behavioral effects of ketamine rely on mu-opioid receptors (MORs), which are enriched in somatostatin-expressing interneurons (Sst⁺ INs) in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Chronic stress drives presynaptic hypertrophy of mPFC Sst⁺ INs and excessive inhibition of pyramidal neurons, which is rescued by ketamine. Motivated by these findings, we use RNA sequencing to identify mPFC Sst⁺ IN-enriched GPCRs and validate the antidepressant potential of promising targets. Synergistic targeting of multiple GPCRs enables potent antidepressant-like responses with reduced side effects. Together, these findings reveal a general approach to identifying therapeutic GPCR targets for brain disorders.

Keywords: GPCR; antidepressant; ketamine; neuromodulation; opioid receptor; photopharmacology; prefrontal cortex; somatostatin interneuron; synaptic plasticity; two-photon imaging.