Membrane Glycine Transport Proteins

Abstract

Structurally, the simplest amino acid is glycine, and it has a number of important yet distinct functions in the body. This review focuses on the different transport systems and the associated carrier proteins for glycine that are responsible for its movement across biological membranes. Transport proteins in the class GLYT appear to be the most specific for glycine. However, the B⁰⁺ system also carries significant amounts of glycine. Other amino acid transport systems capable of carrying small amounts of glycine are ASC, asc and system L. In addition, an ATP-dependent transport process exists that takes up glycine into synaptic vesicles at nerve endings. This is known as the vesicular inhibitory amino acid transporter since, in addition to glycine, it can transport possibly two other inhibitory neurotransmitters.

A novel physiological mechanism of glycine‐induced immunomodulation: Na+‐coupled amino acid transporter currents in cultured brain macrophages

“…Two major types of specific glycine transporters have been identified, namely GLYT1 and GLYT2 (for reviews, see Roux & Supplisson, 2000; Tunnicliff, 2003). However, it is unlikely that GLYT1 and/or GLYT2 are expressed by brain macrophages.…”

Glutamatergic hypothesis of schizophrenia: involvement of Na+/K+-dependent glutamate transport

“…The transport of neurotransmitters and/or their precursors across plasma membranes [2] is, therefore, strategically positioned both as the mechanism terminating the action of neurotransmitters and in the process of neurotransmitter recycling. Accordingly, the neurotransmitter transport has to be considered of critical importance for the normal function of the central synapses [3][4][5][6][7][8][9] and, by extension, for the preservation of good mental health [10,11].…”

An Assessment of the Effects of Guanidinoacetic Acid on the Performance and Immune Response of Laying Hens Fed Diets with Three Levels of Metabolizable Energy

“…The catabolism of GAA occurs in the small intestine via the action of pancreatic enzymes such as trypsin and elastase in conjunction with dipeptidases produced at the border of the intestinal barrier, releasing arginine and glycine. These amino acids are transported through the intestinal apical membrane [ 7 , 8 ] and participate in different aspects of metabolism [ 9 , 10 ].…”