Objective       To determine  the effect of type-3 metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR3) antagonist LY341495 on the biological behavior of cultured human glioma stem cells (GSCs).       Methods      Cultured human GSCs and nude mouse xenograft models were divided into three groups including a control group

an agonist group and an antagonist group. Cell proliferation rate was assessed by CCK-8 assay. Cell cycle was measured by flow cytometry. Expression of CD133 was assessed by immunohistochemistry and laser scanning confocal microscopy. The mRNA and protein expressions of β-catenin and c-myc were measured by real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting.       Results      As compared with the control group

the cell proliferation rate and the proportion of GSCs at S stage of cell cycle in the antagonist group significantly decreased in a time-dependent manner (P0.05).  The number of GSCs differentiating into astrocytes significantly increased in the antagonist group. The number of the nestin-positive cells decreased

but the number of the GFAP-positive cells increased (P0.05).  LY341495 significantly decreased the mRNA and protein expressions of β-catenin and c-myc (P0.05).  LY341495 significantly decreased the growth and volume of transplanted tumors in nude mouse xenograft models (P0.05).       Conclusion        In the biological behavior of human GSCs

mGluR3 plays an important role. The drug blockade of mGluR3 can inhibit the growth of cultured GSCs and the transplanted tumors in nude mouse xenograft models via Wnt/β-catenin pathway.