Excitatory amino acid transporter 1 (EAAT1) is a protein that, in humans, is encoded by the SLC1A3 gene. [5] EAAT1 is also often called the GLutamate ASpartate Transporter 1 (GLAST-1).
EAAT1 is predominantly expressed in the plasma membrane, allowing it to remove glutamate from the extracellular space. [6] It has also been localized in the inner mitochondrial membrane as part of the malate-aspartate shuttle. [7]
EAAT1 functions in vivo as a homotrimer. [8] EAAT1 mediates the transport of glutamic and aspartic acid with the cotransport of three Na+ and one H+ cations and counter transport of one K+ cation. This co-transport coupling (or symport) allows the transport of glutamate into cells against a concentration gradient. [9]
EAAT1 is expressed throughout the CNS, [10] and is highly expressed in astrocytes and Bergmann glia in the cerebellum. [11] [12] In the retina, EAAT1 is expressed in Muller cells. [13] EAAT1 is also expressed in a number of other tissues including cardiac myocytes. [7]
It is associated with type 6 episodic ataxia. [14] EAAT1 expression may also be associated with osteoarthritis. [15]
DL-threo-beta-benzyloxyaspartate (TBOA) is an inhibitor of the excitatory amino acid transporters. [16]
Selective inhibitors for EAAT1 have recently been discovered based on 25 combinations of substitutions at the 4 and 7 positions of 2-amino-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-chromene-3-carbonitril. [17]
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