Metabotropic glutamate receptors active conformation

There are two sub-types of glutamate receptors in glutamatergic structures in brain ionotropic and metabotropic ones, which differ in both localization (the former — predominantly on the postsynaptic membrane and the latter — on both post- and presynaptic membranes) and their functional role. Activation of ionotropic receptors provides electric activity of neurons (generation of action potential) whereas that of metabotropic receptors modifies metabolism of the neuronal cell and, in particular, conformational state and properties of ionotropic receptors this modifying effect is performed by second messengers which formation involves activation of subsequent G-proteins. 

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