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Extensive astrocyte metabolism of γ‐aminobutyric acid ( GABA ) sustains glutamine synthesis in the mammalian cerebral cortex
Author(s) -
Andersen Jens V.,
Jakobsen Emil,
Westi Emil W.,
Lie Maria E. K.,
Voss Caroline M.,
Aldana Blanca I.,
Schousboe Arne,
Wellendorph Petrine,
Bak Lasse K.,
Pinborg Lars H.,
Waagepetersen Helle S.
Publication year - 2020
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.23872
Subject(s) - biology , glutamine , metabolism , astrocyte , neurotransmission , gamma aminobutyric acid , neurotransmitter , biochemistry , cerebral cortex , oxidative phosphorylation , aminobutyric acid , neuroscience , central nervous system , amino acid , receptor
Synaptic transmission is closely linked to brain energy and neurotransmitter metabolism. However, the extent of brain metabolism of the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA), and the relative metabolic contributions of neurons and astrocytes, are yet unknown. The present study was designed to investigate the functional significance of brain GABA metabolism using isolated mouse cerebral cortical slices and slices of neurosurgically resected neocortical human tissue of the temporal lobe. By using dynamic isotope labeling, with [ 15 N]GABA and [U‐ 13 C]GABA as metabolic substrates, we show that both mouse and human brain slices exhibit a large capacity for GABA metabolism. Both the nitrogen and the carbon backbone of GABA strongly support glutamine synthesis, particularly in the human cerebral cortex, indicative of active astrocytic GABA metabolism. This was further substantiated by pharmacological inhibition of the primary astrocytic GABA transporter subtype 3 (GAT3), by ( S )‐SNAP‐5114 or 1‐benzyl‐5‐chloro‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐indole‐2,3‐dione (compound 34), leading to significant reductions in oxidative GABA carbon metabolism. Interestingly, this was not the case when tiagabine was used to specifically inhibit GAT1, which is predominantly found on neurons. Finally, we show that acute GABA exposure does not directly stimulate glycolytic activity nor oxidative metabolism in cultured astrocytes, but can be used as an additional substrate to enhance uncoupled respiration. These results clearly show that GABA is actively metabolized in astrocytes, particularly for the synthesis of glutamine, and challenge the current view that synaptic GABA homeostasis is maintained primarily by presynaptic recycling.