Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system, as such, it plays an important role in brain functions like learning and memory. However, glutamate is also a neurotoxin, overstimulation of its receptors causes neuronal death by excitotoxicity. Dysfunction of glutamatergic signaling contributes to developmental, neurologic, and psychiatric diseases. Glutamate transporters are responsible for maintaining tight control of intra- and extracellular glutamate concentrations. Extracellular glutamate is cleared by a family of five Na+-dependent glutamate transporters, also known as excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs). In addition to these transporters, the cystine/glutamate transporter, an antiporter that usually exchanges extracellular cystine for intracellular glutamate, also contributes to extracellular glutamate concentrations. Vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs), a family of three members, are responsible for glutamate accumulation in synaptic vesicles. Although the disbalance of glutamate homeostasis contributes to neurodegenerative diseases, anxiety disorders, and drug abuse, we are still far from targeting glutamate transporters to treat these disorders.
The goal of this Research Topic is to bring the experts on the field to a common forum to summarize what is known of glutamate transporters and identified the gaps in knowledge of this field. We also hope that this collection will encourage future research on glutamate transporters.
We will welcome Original Research, Review, Mini-Review, Perspective, and Opinion articles focusing on glutamate transporters (EAATs, cystine/glutamate exchanger, and VGLUTs). Including, but not limited to, the following topics:
1. Gene expression regulation
2. Signaling properties
3. Structure and Function
4. Protein-protein interactions
5. Posttranslational modifications
6. Involvement in disease
7. Use as therapeutic targets or their pharmacological modulation
Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system, as such, it plays an important role in brain functions like learning and memory. However, glutamate is also a neurotoxin, overstimulation of its receptors causes neuronal death by excitotoxicity. Dysfunction of glutamatergic signaling contributes to developmental, neurologic, and psychiatric diseases. Glutamate transporters are responsible for maintaining tight control of intra- and extracellular glutamate concentrations. Extracellular glutamate is cleared by a family of five Na+-dependent glutamate transporters, also known as excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs). In addition to these transporters, the cystine/glutamate transporter, an antiporter that usually exchanges extracellular cystine for intracellular glutamate, also contributes to extracellular glutamate concentrations. Vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs), a family of three members, are responsible for glutamate accumulation in synaptic vesicles. Although the disbalance of glutamate homeostasis contributes to neurodegenerative diseases, anxiety disorders, and drug abuse, we are still far from targeting glutamate transporters to treat these disorders.
The goal of this Research Topic is to bring the experts on the field to a common forum to summarize what is known of glutamate transporters and identified the gaps in knowledge of this field. We also hope that this collection will encourage future research on glutamate transporters.
We will welcome Original Research, Review, Mini-Review, Perspective, and Opinion articles focusing on glutamate transporters (EAATs, cystine/glutamate exchanger, and VGLUTs). Including, but not limited to, the following topics:
1. Gene expression regulation
2. Signaling properties
3. Structure and Function
4. Protein-protein interactions
5. Posttranslational modifications
6. Involvement in disease
7. Use as therapeutic targets or their pharmacological modulation