Serine racemase: activation by glutamate neurotransmission via glutamate receptor interacting protein and mediation of neuronal migration

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005 Feb 8;102(6):2105-10. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0409723102. Epub 2005 Jan 31.

Abstract

Serine racemase (SR), localized to astrocytic glia that ensheathe synapses, converts L-serine to D-serine, an endogenous ligand of the NMDA receptor. We report the activation of SR by glutamate neurotransmission involving alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid receptors via glutamate receptor interacting protein (GRIP) and the physiologic regulation of cerebellar granule cell migration by SR. GRIP physiologically binds SR, augmenting SR activity and D-serine release. GRIP infection of neonatal mouse cerebellum in vivo enhances granule cell migration. Selective degradation of D-serine by D-amino acid oxidase and pharmacologic inhibition of SR impede migration, whereas D-serine activates the process. Thus, in neuronal migration, glutamate stimulates Bergmann glia to form and release D-serine, which, together with glutamate, activates NMDA receptors on granule neurons, chemokinetically enhancing migration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / cytology
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Movement / physiology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Glutamic Acid / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neuroglia / cytology
  • Neuroglia / metabolism
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Racemases and Epimerases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Racemases and Epimerases / genetics
  • Racemases and Epimerases / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Receptors, AMPA / metabolism
  • Serine / metabolism
  • Synaptic Transmission / physiology*
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Receptors, AMPA
  • Glutamic Acid
  • Serine
  • Racemases and Epimerases
  • serine racemase
  • Calcium