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Role of glial amino acid transporters in synaptic transmission and brain energetics
Author(s) -
Marcaggi Païkan,
Attwell David
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
glia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.954
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1098-1136
pISSN - 0894-1491
DOI - 10.1002/glia.20027
Subject(s) - neurotransmission , biology , neurotransmitter , neuroscience , glutamate receptor , amino acid , transporter , postsynaptic potential , synaptic cleft , neurotransmitter transporter , neuroglia , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , central nervous system , receptor , gene
This article reviews how the uptake of neurotransmitter by glial amino acid transporters limits the spatial spread of transmitter to preserve the independent operation of nearby synapses, temporally shapes postsynaptic currents, and regulates the effects of tonic transmitter release. We demonstrate the importance of amino acid uptake and recycling mechanisms for preventing the loss of energetically costly neurotransmitter from the brain, and also examine the suggestion that glutamate uptake into glia plays a key role in regulating the energy production of the brain. Finally, we assess the role of glial amino acid transporters in transmitter recycling pathways. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.