title: Characterization of the glutametergic system in MG-63 osteoblast-like osteosarcoma cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The glutamate system is a fairly complex bioregulation pathway, consisting of several ionotropic Glu receptors (iGlu.Rs), the metabotropic Glu receptors (mGlu.Rs), Glu transporters (EAATs) and glutamine synthetase (GS), which metabolizes glutamate to glutamine.
  
  
  METHODS
  We characterized the MG-63 human osteoblast-like osteosarcoma cells with regards to mRNA expression of the (a) NMDA.R group of iGlu.Rs, (b) mGlu.Rs, (c) EAAT1 transporter, and (d) GS, using specific primers for their detection by RT-PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our data confirm the mRNA expression of the NR1, NR2A, NR2B and NR2D subunits of NMDA.R and of GS mRNA in MG-63 cells. In addition, we documented, for the first time, the mRNA expression of the NR3A, EAAT1, mGlu.R1, mGlu.R2, mGlu.R3, mGluR.4, mGlu.R5 and mGlu.R8 mRNA. However, we did not detect the mRNA expression of NR2C, NR3B, mGlu.R6 and mGlu.R7 mRNA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest that MG-63 cells can be used as a model for studying the possible role of Glu beyond CNS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Physiology, Medical School, University of Athens, Goudi-Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Niki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kalariti
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lembessis
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koutsilieris
mesh_terms: D027322:Amino Acid Transport System X-AG / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D027341:Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 1; D050491:Glutamate Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D005974:Glutamate-Ammonia Ligase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D018094:Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D027981:Symporters / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D027322:Amino Acid Transport System X-AG; D027341:Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 1; D050491:Glutamate Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; C409466:NR1 NMDA receptor; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018094:Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; C493394:SLC1A3 protein, human; D027981:Symporters; D005974:Glutamate-Ammonia Ligase