Astrocytic Glutamate Transporters

EAATl and EAAT2 are selective markers for astrocytic plasma membranes. The density of EAAT2 is much higher in hippocampal astrocytes than in cerebellar 

EAAT5 (see below) is also expressed in terminals of rod photoreceptor terminals, rod photoreceptors express two glutamate transporters with distinct properties. Similarly, cone photoreceptors express two glutamate transporters. Differential usage of these transporters by rod and cone photoreceptors may influence the kinetics of glutamate transmission by these neurons (Rauen et al., 2004). 

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Yi J. H. and Hazell A. S. (2006). Excitotoxic mechanisms and the role of astrocytic glutamate transporters in traumatic brain injury. Neurochem. Int. 48 394 103. 

Matute C, Melone M, Vallejo-Illarramendi A, Conti F. 2005. Increased expression of the astrocytic glutamate transporter GLT-1 in the prefrontal cortex of schizophrenics. Glia 49 451-455. 

Duan SM, Anderson CM, Stein BA, Swanson RA (1999) Glutamate induces rapid upregulation of astrocyte glutamate transport and cell-surface expression of GLAST. J Neurosci 79 10193-10200. 

Samuelsson, C., Kumlien, E., FUnk, R., Lindholm, D., and Ronne-Engstrom, E. 2000. Decreased cortical levels of astrocytic glutamate transport protein GLT-1 in a rat model of posttraumatic epilepsy. Neurosci Lett 289(3) 185-188... 

Excitotoxic damage involving loss of astrocytic glutamate transporters is a feature of thiamine deficiency and WE. 

Hazell, A.S., Rao, K.V., Danbolt, N.C., Pow, D.V., and Butterworth, R.F., 2001. Selective down-regulation of the astrocyte glutamate transporters GLT-1 and GLAST within the medial thalamus in experimental Wernicke s encephalopathy. Journal of Neurochemistry. 78 560-568. 

Westbrook GL. Glutamate receptors and excitotoxicity. Res Publ Assoc Res Nerv Ment Dis. 1993 71 35-50. Anderson CM, Swanson RA. Astrocyte glutamate transport review of properties, regulation, and physiological functions. Glia. 2000 32(1) 1-14. 

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