Glutamate transporters in health and disease

Abstract

Glutamate transporters, or excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs), are key proteins that regulate the excitatory tone in the central nervous system (CNS) by clearing synaptic glutamate, maintaining extracellular glutamate concentrations low enough to prevent receptor desensitization and/or glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity. Dysregulation of the function and/or expression of the EAATs is implicated in several diseases, including epilepsy, stroke, traumatic brain injury, drug abuse disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, and neuropathic pain, among others. In this chapter, we will discuss the regulatory mechanisms of EAATs in health and disease states. We will discuss post-translational modifications, trafficking deficits, reverse transport, and other regulatory processes. We will also discuss current approaches on potential therapeutic strategies targeting these transporters for many neuropsychiatric diseases.