Chapter 8 The Impact of Astrocytes in the Clearance of Neurotransmitters by Uptake and Inactivation (original) (raw)

Advances in Planar Lipid Bilayers and Liposomes, 2009

Abstract

Abstract Astrocytes, which are no longer considered as passive supportive cells of central nervous system, actively participate in brain communication as well as take care for proper microenvironment, because they take up the excess of extracellular potassium ions and neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitter transporters are key elements in terminating synaptic activity of distinct neurotransmitters. They use energy stored in the electrochemical gradient of either sodium ions or protons across neuronal or glial cell membrane for uphill transport of neurotransmitters from extracellular to intracellular site. Sodium‐coupled neurotransmitter transporters belong to two distinct families of transporters of solute carrier proteins (SLC): SLC 1 which represents glutamate transporters and SLC6 to which the other neurotransmitter transporters belong. Apart from neurotransmitter transporters, there is another family in the SLC transporter super family that participates in movement of some monoamines across membranes, a SLC22 family. They act in a sodium‐ and chloride‐independent manner. Because of direct involvement of transporters in the availability of neurotransmitters, they represent a site of action of many present and future drugs. In the present review we would like to address the importance of neurotransmitter transporters on astrocytes in the regulation of synaptic signaling.

Mojca Krzan hasn't uploaded this paper.

Let Mojca know you want this paper to be uploaded.

Ask for this paper to be uploaded.