Slips, leaks and channels in glutamate transporters

Channels (Austin). 2008 Jan-Feb;2(1):51-8. doi: 10.4161/chan.2.1.6047. Epub 2008 Apr 2.

Abstract

Glutamate transporters are unusual proteins in that they can function as both a transporter and a chloride channel. With the recent determination of the crystal structure of an archaeal aspartate transporter it is now possible to begin to put together a physical picture of how these proteins are able to carry out their dual functions. In this review we shall discuss our current understanding of the functional states of glutamate transporters and how they may arise. We will also discuss some of the alternate conducting states of glutamate transporters and provide definitions of the various states.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Transport System X-AG / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Archaea / metabolism
  • Chloride Channels / chemistry
  • Crystallography, X-Ray / methods
  • Dimerization
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 1 / metabolism
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 2 / metabolism*
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 3 / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Symporters / metabolism

Substances

  • Amino Acid Transport System X-AG
  • Chloride Channels
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 1
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 2
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 3
  • Symporters