Beyond the role of glutamate as a neurotransmitter.
Glutamate is the principal excitatory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system, but many studies have expanded its functional repertoire by showing that glutamate receptors are present in a variety of non-excitable cells. How does glutamate receptor activation modulate their activity? Do non-excitable cells release glutamate, and, if so, how? These questions remain enigmatic. Here, we review the current knowledge on glutamatergic signalling in non-neuronal cells, with a special emphasis on astrocytes.
Nedergaard
Maiken
M
Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York 10595, USA. maiken_nedergaard@nymc.edu
Takano
Takahiro
T
Hansen
Anker J
AJ
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology*; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000378:metabolism; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D017470:Receptors, Glutamate / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology
D017470:Receptors, Glutamate; D018698:Glutamic Acid