Author/Editor     Perdan, Katja; Lipnik-Štangelj, Metoda; Kržan, Mojca
Title     The impact of astrocytes in the clearance of neurotransmitters by uptake and inactivation
Type     članek
Source     In: Leitmanova LA. Advances in planar lipid bilayers and liposomes. Vol. 9. Amsterdam: Elsevier, Academic Press,
Publication year     2009
Volume     str. 211-35
Language     eng
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 celi 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 chlorideindependent manner.Because of direct involvement of transporters in the availability of neu rotransmitters, they represent a site of action of many present and future drugs.ln the present review we would like to address the importance of neurotransmitter transporters on astrocytes in the regulation of synaptic signaling.
Descriptors     BRAIN
ASTROCYTES
NEUROTRANSMITTERS
SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION
BIOLOGICAL TRANSPORT, ACTIVE
ION PUMPS
ABC TRANSPORTERS
BIOGENIC AMINE NEUROTRANSMITTERS
CARRIER PROTEINS
GABA
GLYCINE
NOREPINEPHRINE
SEROTONIN
DOPAMINE
HISTAMINE
DRUGS