L-Glutamate uptake by neurons Authored: Mahajan, SS, 2008-01-14 16:01:52 Edited: Gillespie, ME, 2009-11-19 Excess L-Glutamate released by the pre-synaptic neuron in the synaptic cleft is cleared by high affinity transporters called the excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) to terminate synaptic actions of the neurotransmitter and to recycle these molecules. Five types of EAATs have been identified EAAT1-EAAT5 in the mammalian CNS. EAAT1 and EAAT2 are mainly expressed by astrocytes whereas EAAT3 and EAAT4 are predominantly neuronal. EAAT3 are expressed throughout the CNS however, EAAT4 is predominantly localized to purkinje cells. EAAT5 are expressed rod photoreceptor and bipolar cells of retina. Astrocytic EAATs are expressed in astrocytes in close apposition to the synapses and neuronal EAATs are expressed in the extra-synaptic or peri-synaptic locations on the neurons. Astrocytic EAATs are responsible for majority of the glutamate uptake, neuronal transporters are responsible for glutamate clearance in specialized synapses in cerebellum where the spatial relationship between the glutamate receptors and EAATs is altered and glutamate receptors are expressed in the peri-synaptic region. Pubmed16212990 Reactome Database ID Release 43210404 Reactome, http://www.reactome.org ReactomeREACT_13574 Reviewed: Jassal, B, 2008-06-03 13:06:01