Mutations in Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 1 Contribute to Natural Short Sleep Trait

Sufficient and efficient sleep is crucial for our health. Natural short sleepers can sleep significantly shorter than the average population without a desire for more sleep and without any obvious negative health consequences. In searching for genetic variants underlying the short sleep trait, we found two different mutations in the same gene (metabotropic glutamate receptor 1) from two independent natural short sleep families. In vitro, both of the mutations exhibited loss of function in receptor-mediated signaling. In vivo, the mice carrying the individual mutations both demonstrated short sleep behavior. In brain slices, both of the mutations changed the electrical properties and increased excitatory synaptic transmission. These results highlight the important role of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 in modulating sleep duration.

Automated summary

Adequate and efficient sleep is crucial for our health, with natural short sleepers able to sleep significantly shorter without negative health consequences. A study identified two different mutations in the same gene from two independent natural short sleep families, which manifested as short sleep behavior in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. The mutations were found to change the electrical properties in brain slices, emphasizing the important role of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 in modulating sleep duration.