title: D-Aspartate acts as a signaling molecule in nervous and neuroendocrine systems.
abstract: D-Aspartate (D-Asp) is an endogenous amino acid in the central nervous and reproductive systems of vertebrates and invertebrates. High concentrations of D-Asp are found in distinct anatomical locations, suggesting that it has specific physiological roles in animals. Many of the characteristics of D-Asp have been documented, including its tissue and cellular distribution, formation and degradation, as well as the responses elicited by D-Asp application. D-Asp performs important roles related to nervous system development and hormone regulation; in addition, it appears to act as a cell-to-cell signaling molecule. Recent studies have shown that D-Asp fulfills many, if not all, of the definitions of a classical neurotransmitter-that the molecule's biosynthesis, degradation, uptake, and release take place within the presynaptic neuron, and that it triggers a response in the postsynaptic neuron after its release. Accumulating evidence suggests that these criteria are met by a heterogeneous distribution of enzymes for D-Asp's biosynthesis and degradation, an appropriate uptake mechanism, localization within synaptic vesicles, and a postsynaptic response via an ionotropic receptor. Although D-Asp receptors remain to be characterized, the postsynaptic response of D-Asp has been studied and several L-glutamate receptors are known to respond to D-Asp. In this review, we discuss the current status of research on D-Asp in neuronal and neuroendocrine systems, and highlight results that support D-Asp's role as a signaling molecule.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Nobutoshi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ota
authors.forename: Ting
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Jonathan V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Sweedler
mesh_terms: D000591:Amino Acid Isomerases / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D050804:D-Aspartate Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D026603:D-Aspartic Acid / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D058468:Receptors, Ionotropic Glutamate / Q000819:agonists / Q000378:metabolism; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000819:agonists / Q000378:metabolism; D013569:Synapses / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D058468:Receptors, Ionotropic Glutamate; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D026603:D-Aspartic Acid; D050804:D-Aspartate Oxidase; D000591:Amino Acid Isomerases; C019749:aspartate racemase