What is the EAAT2 gene?
Excitatory amino acid transporter 2 (EAAT2) also known as solute carrier family 1 member 2 (SLC1A2) and glutamate transporter 1 (GLT-1) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SLC1A2 gene. Alternatively spliced transcript variants of this gene have been described, but their full-length nature is not known.
Why is EAAT function so important for glutamate function?
The EAATs are membrane-bound pumps that closely resemble ion channels. These transporters play the important role of regulating concentrations of glutamate in the extracellular space, maintaining it at low physiological levels that promote biological function without promoting toxicity.
What is the function of glutamate?
Glutamate is an important neurotransmitter present in over 90% of all brain synapses and is a naturally occurring molecule that nerve cells use to send signals to other cells in the central nervous system. Glutamate plays an essential role in normal brain functioning and its levels must be tightly regulated.
What is EAAT in neuroscience?
Excitatory amino acid transporters, or EAATs, serve as the major mechanism for limiting the action of the excitatory amino acid glutamate in the central nervous system.
What is GLT1?
GLT1 Sodium-dependent, high-affinity amino acid transporter that mediates the uptake of L-glutamate and also L-aspartate and D-aspartate. Functions as a symporter that transports one amino acid molecule together with two or three Na(+) ions and one proton, in parallel with the counter-transport of one K(+) ion.
How does a glutamate transporter work?
In the brain, EAATs remove glutamate from the synaptic cleft and extrasynaptic sites via glutamate reuptake into glial cells and neurons, while VGLUTs move glutamate from the cell cytoplasm into synaptic vesicles. The activity of glutamate transporters also allows glutamate to be recycled for repeated release.
What happens when glutamate levels are low?
A glutamate deficiency in the brain is believed to cause symptoms including: Insomnia. Concentration problems. Mental exhaustion.
How do glutamate transporters work?
Where are GABA transporters located?
These two transporters are predominantly expressed in the liver, but are also found in the kidneys and, as mentioned above, in the meninges.
