Glutamate Transporter (None)

Glutamate transporters are a family of membrane proteins responsible for the uptake of glutamate, the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. These transporters play a critical role in maintaining low extracellular glutamate concentrations, thereby preventing excitotoxicity and ensuring proper synaptic signaling. Major subtypes include EAAT1, EAAT2, EAAT3, and EAAT4. Dysfunction can lead to elevated extracellular glutamate levels, resulting in neuronal damage or death due to excitotoxicity—a mechanism implicated in various neurological disorders such as epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), ischemia/stroke injury, and neurodegenerative diseases. These transporters operate as secondary active transporters, coupling the influx of glutamate with sodium and proton, while exporting potassium.

Other names

Excitatory Amino Acid TransportersEAATs

Modulation of glutamate transporter activity to regulate extracellular glutamate levels