Neurobiology. Long-sought protein packages glutamate.
Glutamate, one of two neurotransmitters that send the basic "stop" and "go" signals that most other neurotransmitters merely modulate, is called into action wherever rapid-fire excitatory signals are needed--say, for vision or learning. For decades, researchers have been looking for the protein that packages glutamate for express delivery to other neurons. On page 957, researchers report that they've found this elusive transporter, dubbed VGLUT1.
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D000818:Animals; D001693:Biological Transport, Active; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002460:Cell Line; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D009154:Mutation; D050608:Sodium-Phosphate Cotransporter Proteins; D027981:Symporters; D013572:Synaptic Vesicles / Q000378:metabolism*; D014162:Transfection
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D050608:Sodium-Phosphate Cotransporter Proteins; D027981:Symporters; D018698:Glutamic Acid