The role of excitatory amino acid transporters in cerebral ischemia.
Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter that plays a major role in the pathogenesis of ischemia brain injury. The regulation of glutamate neurotransmission is carried out by excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) that act through reuptake of glutamate into cells. EAATs may also release glutamate into the extracellular space in a calcium-independent manner during ischemia and dysfunction of EAATs is specifically implicated in the pathology of cerebral ischemia. Recent studies show that up-regulation of EAAT2 provides neuroprotection during ischemic insult. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding the role of EAATs in cerebral ischemia.
Chao
Xiao-dong
XD
Department of Neurosurgery, Xi Jing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China. kelyue@msn.com
Fei
Fei
F
Fei
Zhou
Z
D000818:Animals; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D050491:Glutamate Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans
D050491:Glutamate Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins