Journal
BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY TRANSACTIONS
Volume 41, Issue -, Pages 1518-1524Publisher
PORTLAND PRESS LTD
DOI: 10.1042/BST20130237
Keywords
gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA); ammonia; astrocyte; glutamate; glutamine; glutamine synthetase
Categories
Funding
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research
- Alzheimer's Research Trust (U.K.) [ART/PG2004A/1]
- National Science Foundation [CBET 0943343]
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The multifunctional properties of astrocytes signify their importance in brain physiology and neurological function. In addition to defining the brain architecture, astrocytes are primary elements of brain ion, pH and neurotransmitter homoeostasis. GS (glutamine synthetase), which catalyses the ATP-dependent condensation of ammonia and glutamate to form glutamine, is an enzyme particularly found in astrocytes. GS plays a pivotal role in glutamate and glutamine homoeostasis, orchestrating astrocyte glutamate uptake/release and the glutamate-glutamine cycle. Furthermore, astrocytes bear the brunt of clearing ammonia in the brain, preventing neurotoxicity. The present review depicts the central function of astrocytes, concentrating on the importance of GS in glutamate/glutamine metabolism and ammonia detoxification in health and disease.
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