Glutamate transporter

Glutamate Transporter

The Glutamate Transporter is a type of protein that is responsible for the active transport of glutamate across the cell membrane. Glutamate transporters are found in neuronal and glial cells, where they control the concentration of glutamate in the synaptic cleft and prevent excitotoxicity.

Function

Glutamate transporters play a crucial role in the central nervous system (CNS). They are responsible for the uptake of glutamate from the synaptic cleft, which is essential for terminating the postsynaptic action of glutamate and for maintaining low extracellular glutamate concentrations.

Types of Glutamate Transporters

There are several types of glutamate transporters, including:

• Excitatory Amino Acid Transporters (EAATs): These are a family of five high-affinity glutamate transporters, EAAT1-5. They are responsible for the majority of glutamate uptake in the brain.

• Vesicular Glutamate Transporters (VGLUTs): These transporters are responsible for the loading of glutamate into synaptic vesicles.

Clinical Significance

Alterations in glutamate transporter expression and function have been linked to several neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and schizophrenia.

See Also

• Glutamate
• Neurotransmitter
• Neurological disorders

References

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