title: The glutamatergic system outside the CNS and in cancer biology.
abstract: Glutamate is a major excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS. The signalling machinery consists of: glutamate receptors, which are responsible for signal input; plasma glutamate transporters, which are responsible for signal termination; and vesicular glutamate transporters for signal output through exocytic release. Recently, data have suggested that the glutamatergic system plays an important role in non-neuronal tissues. In addition, the expression of glutamatergic system has been implicated in tumour biology. This review outlines the evidence, which suggests that the glutamatergic system may have an important role in cancer biology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Physiology, Medical School, University of Athens, 75 Micras Asias, Goudi-Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Niki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kalariti
authors.forename: Nikos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pissimissis
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koutsilieris
mesh_terms: D027322:Amino Acid Transport System X-AG / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D017470:Receptors, Glutamate / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D027322:Amino Acid Transport System X-AG; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D017470:Receptors, Glutamate; D018698:Glutamic Acid