Transporters for L-glutamate: an update on their molecular pharmacology and pathological involvement.

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Beart PM, O'Shea RD

Transporters for L-glutamate: an update on their molecular pharmacology and pathological involvement.

Br J Pharmacol. 2007 Jan;150(1):5-17. Epub 2006 Nov 6.

PubMed ID
17088867 [ View in PubMed
]
Abstract

L-Glutamate (Glu) is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian CNS and five types of high-affinity Glu transporters (EAAT1-5) have been identified. The transporters EAAT1 and EAAT2 in glial cells are responsible for the majority of Glu uptake while neuronal EAATs appear to have specialized roles at particular types of synapses. Dysfunction of EAATs is specifically implicated in the pathology of neurodegenerative conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, epilepsy, Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease and ischemic stroke injury, and thus treatments that can modulate EAAT function may prove beneficial in these conditions. Recent advances have been made in our understanding of the regulation of EAATs, including their trafficking, splicing and post-translational modification. This article summarises some recent developments that improve our understanding of the roles and regulation of EAATs.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Targets
DrugTargetKindOrganismPharmacological ActionActions
Glutamic acidExcitatory amino acid transporter 1ProteinHumans
Unknown
Not AvailableDetails
Glutamic acidExcitatory amino acid transporter 2ProteinHumans
Unknown
Not AvailableDetails