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Biomolecules
Special Issues
Role and Regulation of Glutamate Metabolism
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Role and Regulation of Glutamate Metabolism

A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2015) | Viewed by 61096

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Kenneth E. Miller

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department Anatomy & Cell Biology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences (OSU-CHS), 1111 W 17TH St., Tulsa, OK 74107-1898, USA
Interests: regulation of glutamate metabolism in dorsal root ganglion neurons during peripheral inflammation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Glutamate is a key amino acid related to intermediary metabolism in eukaryotic cells. A number of vertebrate tissues and organ systems, however, use glutamate and related amino acids, e.g., glutamine and aspartate, for specific functions. Neurons use glutamate as an excitatory neurotransmitter and as a precursor for the inhibitory neurotransmitter, gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA). Renal tubule cells regulate ammonia levels via glutamate production. Glutamate and glutamine are important amino acids for proper skeletal muscle function. Glutamate is influential in inflammatory activity of resident and recruited macrophages. Furthermore, many malignant cell phenotypes are dependent on glutamate metabolism for sustaining cell growth.

We invite submissions of research or review manuscripts related to the role and regulation of glutamate metabolism. Areas of interest include regulation of glutamate in specific tissue types, e.g., neuronal, glial, renal, muscle, immune, lung, intestinal, and tumor cells. These areas can include transcriptional and translational regulation of glutamate-related enzymes or transporters, intracellular signal modulation of glutamate metabolism, metabolic flux or allosteric modulation of glutamate synthesis, and the functional outcome of increased or diminished glutamate production. This issue will review recent findings and showcase original research in this diverse field.

We look forward to your contributions,

Prof. Dr. Kenneth E. Miller
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomolecules is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.


Keywords

  • glutamate
  • glutamine
  • aspartate
  • glutaminase
  • glutamine synthetase
  • glutamate dehydrogenase
  • aspartate aminotransferase
  • PRPP amidotransferase
  • glutamate transport
  • glutamine transport

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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2490 KiB  
Article
Glutaminase Increases in Rat Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons after Unilateral Adjuvant-Induced Hind Paw Inflammation
by E. Matthew Hoffman, Zijia Zhang, Ruben Schechter and Kenneth E. Miller
Biomolecules 2016, 6(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom6010010 - 13 Jan 2016
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 6763
Abstract
Glutamate is a neurotransmitter used at both the peripheral and central terminals of nociceptive primary sensory neurons, yet little is known concerning regulation of glutamate metabolism during peripheral inflammation. Glutaminase (GLS) is an enzyme of the glutamate-glutamine cycle that converts glutamine into glutamate [...] Read more.
Glutamate is a neurotransmitter used at both the peripheral and central terminals of nociceptive primary sensory neurons, yet little is known concerning regulation of glutamate metabolism during peripheral inflammation. Glutaminase (GLS) is an enzyme of the glutamate-glutamine cycle that converts glutamine into glutamate for neurotransmission and is implicated in producing elevated levels of glutamate in central and peripheral terminals. A potential mechanism for increased levels of glutamate is an elevation in GLS expression. We assessed GLS expression after unilateral hind paw inflammation by measuring GLS immunoreactivity (ir) with quantitative image analysis of L4 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons after one, two, four, and eight days of adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) compared to saline injected controls. No significant elevation in GLS-ir occurred in the DRG ipsilateral to the inflamed hind paw after one or two days of AIA. After four days AIA, GLS-ir was elevated significantly in all sizes of DRG neurons. After eight days AIA, GLS-ir remained elevated in small (<400 µm2), presumably nociceptive neurons. Western blot analysis of the L4 DRG at day four AIA confirmed the elevated GLS-ir. The present study indicates that GLS expression is increased in the chronic stage of inflammation and may be a target for chronic pain therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role and Regulation of Glutamate Metabolism)
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Review

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1467 KiB  
Review
Central Role of Glutamate Metabolism in the Maintenance of Nitrogen Homeostasis in Normal and Hyperammonemic Brain
by Arthur J. L. Cooper and Thomas M. Jeitner
Biomolecules 2016, 6(2), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom6020016 - 26 Mar 2016
Cited by 135 | Viewed by 23287
Abstract
Glutamate is present in the brain at an average concentration—typically 10–12 mM—far in excess of those of other amino acids. In glutamate-containing vesicles in the brain, the concentration of glutamate may even exceed 100 mM. Yet because glutamate is a major excitatory neurotransmitter, [...] Read more.
Glutamate is present in the brain at an average concentration—typically 10–12 mM—far in excess of those of other amino acids. In glutamate-containing vesicles in the brain, the concentration of glutamate may even exceed 100 mM. Yet because glutamate is a major excitatory neurotransmitter, the concentration of this amino acid in the cerebral extracellular fluid must be kept low—typically µM. The remarkable gradient of glutamate in the different cerebral compartments: vesicles > cytosol/mitochondria > extracellular fluid attests to the extraordinary effectiveness of glutamate transporters and the strict control of enzymes of glutamate catabolism and synthesis in well-defined cellular and subcellular compartments in the brain. A major route for glutamate and ammonia removal is via the glutamine synthetase (glutamate ammonia ligase) reaction. Glutamate is also removed by conversion to the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyrate (GABA) via the action of glutamate decarboxylase. On the other hand, cerebral glutamate levels are maintained by the action of glutaminase and by various α-ketoglutarate-linked aminotransferases (especially aspartate aminotransferase and the mitochondrial and cytosolic forms of the branched-chain aminotransferases). Although the glutamate dehydrogenase reaction is freely reversible, owing to rapid removal of ammonia as glutamine amide, the direction of the glutamate dehydrogenase reaction in the brain in vivo is mainly toward glutamate catabolism rather than toward the net synthesis of glutamate, even under hyperammonemia conditions. During hyperammonemia, there is a large increase in cerebral glutamine content, but only small changes in the levels of glutamate and α-ketoglutarate. Thus, the channeling of glutamate toward glutamine during hyperammonemia results in the net synthesis of 5-carbon units. This increase in 5-carbon units is accomplished in part by the ammonia-induced stimulation of the anaplerotic enzyme pyruvate carboxylase. Here, we suggest that glutamate may constitute a buffer or bulwark against changes in cerebral amine and ammonia nitrogen. Although the glutamate transporters are briefly discussed, the major emphasis of the present review is on the enzymology contributing to the maintenance of glutamate levels under normal and hyperammonemic conditions. Emphasis will also be placed on the central role of glutamate in the glutamine-glutamate and glutamine-GABA neurotransmitter cycles between neurons and astrocytes. Finally, we provide a brief and selective discussion of neuropathology associated with altered cerebral glutamate levels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role and Regulation of Glutamate Metabolism)
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839 KiB  
Review
On the Role of Glutamate in Presynaptic Development: Possible Contributions of Presynaptic NMDA Receptors
by Karlie N. Fedder and Shasta L. Sabo
Biomolecules 2015, 5(4), 3448-3466; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom5043448 - 14 Dec 2015
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 7442
Abstract
Proper formation and maturation of synapses during development is a crucial step in building the functional neural circuits that underlie perception and behavior. It is well established that experience modifies circuit development. Therefore, understanding how synapse formation is controlled by synaptic activity is [...] Read more.
Proper formation and maturation of synapses during development is a crucial step in building the functional neural circuits that underlie perception and behavior. It is well established that experience modifies circuit development. Therefore, understanding how synapse formation is controlled by synaptic activity is a key question in neuroscience. In this review, we focus on the regulation of excitatory presynaptic terminal development by glutamate, the predominant excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. We discuss the evidence that NMDA receptor activation mediates these effects of glutamate and present the hypothesis that local activation of presynaptic NMDA receptors (preNMDARs) contributes to glutamate-dependent control of presynaptic development. Abnormal glutamate signaling and aberrant synapse development are both thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of a variety of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disability, epilepsy, anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia. Therefore, understanding how glutamate signaling and synapse development are linked is important for understanding the etiology of these diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role and Regulation of Glutamate Metabolism)
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2700 KiB  
Review
VGLUTs and Glutamate Synthesis—Focus on DRG Neurons and Pain
by Mariana Malet and Pablo R. Brumovsky
Biomolecules 2015, 5(4), 3416-3437; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom5043416 - 02 Dec 2015
Cited by 36 | Viewed by 8259
Abstract
The amino acid glutamate is the principal excitatory transmitter in the nervous system, including in sensory neurons that convey pain sensation from the periphery to the brain. It is now well established that a family of membrane proteins, termed vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs), [...] Read more.
The amino acid glutamate is the principal excitatory transmitter in the nervous system, including in sensory neurons that convey pain sensation from the periphery to the brain. It is now well established that a family of membrane proteins, termed vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs), serve a critical function in these neurons: they incorporate glutamate into synaptic vesicles. VGLUTs have a central role both under normal neurotransmission and pathological conditions, such as neuropathic or inflammatory pain. In the present short review, we will address VGLUTs in the context of primary afferent neurons. We will focus on the role of VGLUTs in pain triggered by noxious stimuli, peripheral nerve injury, and tissue inflammation, as mostly explored in transgenic mice. The possible interplay between glutamate biosynthesis and VGLUT-dependent packaging in synaptic vesicles, and its potential impact in various pain states will be presented. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role and Regulation of Glutamate Metabolism)
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989 KiB  
Review
Overview of Glutamatergic Dysregulation in Central Pathologies
by Tanya Miladinovic, Mina G. Nashed and Gurmit Singh
Biomolecules 2015, 5(4), 3112-3141; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom5043112 - 11 Nov 2015
Cited by 83 | Viewed by 8347
Abstract
As the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system, glutamate plays a key role in many central pathologies, including gliomas, psychiatric, neurodevelopmental, and neurodegenerative disorders. Post-mortem and serological studies have implicated glutamatergic dysregulation in these pathologies, and pharmacological modulation of glutamate [...] Read more.
As the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system, glutamate plays a key role in many central pathologies, including gliomas, psychiatric, neurodevelopmental, and neurodegenerative disorders. Post-mortem and serological studies have implicated glutamatergic dysregulation in these pathologies, and pharmacological modulation of glutamate receptors and transporters has provided further validation for the involvement of glutamate. Furthermore, efforts from genetic, in vitro, and animal studies are actively elucidating the specific glutamatergic mechanisms that contribute to the aetiology of central pathologies. However, details regarding specific mechanisms remain sparse and progress in effectively modulating glutamate to alleviate symptoms or inhibit disease states has been relatively slow. In this report, we review what is currently known about glutamate signalling in central pathologies. We also discuss glutamate’s mediating role in comorbidities, specifically cancer-induced bone pain and depression. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role and Regulation of Glutamate Metabolism)
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1293 KiB  
Review
Computational Studies of Glutamate Transporters
by Jeffry Setiadi, Germano Heinzelmann and Serdar Kuyucak
Biomolecules 2015, 5(4), 3067-3086; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom5043067 - 11 Nov 2015
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5722
Abstract
Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the human brain whose binding to receptors on neurons excites them while excess glutamate are removed from synapses via transporter proteins. Determination of the crystal structures of bacterial aspartate transporters has paved the way for computational [...] Read more.
Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the human brain whose binding to receptors on neurons excites them while excess glutamate are removed from synapses via transporter proteins. Determination of the crystal structures of bacterial aspartate transporters has paved the way for computational investigation of their function and dynamics at the molecular level. Here, we review molecular dynamics and free energy calculation methods used in these computational studies and discuss the recent applications to glutamate transporters. The focus of the review is on the insights gained on the transport mechanism through computational methods, which otherwise is not directly accessible by experimental probes. Recent efforts to model the mammalian glutamate and other amino acid transporters, whose crystal structures have not been solved yet, are included in the review. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role and Regulation of Glutamate Metabolism)
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