Astrocytes regulate inhibitory neurotransmission through GABA uptake, metabolism, and recycling
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Astrocytes regulate inhibitory neurotransmission through GABA uptake, metabolism, and recycling. / Andersen, Jens V.; Schousboe, Arne; Wellendorph, Petrine.
In: Essays in Biochemistry, Vol. 67, No. 1, 2023, p. 77-91.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Astrocytes regulate inhibitory neurotransmission through GABA uptake, metabolism, and recycling
AU - Andersen, Jens V.
AU - Schousboe, Arne
AU - Wellendorph, Petrine
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Portland Press Limited on behalf of the Biochemical Society.
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - Synaptic regulation of the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is essential for brain function. Cerebral GABA homeostasis is tightly regulated through multiple mechanisms and is directly coupled to the metabolic collaboration between neurons and astrocytes. In this essay, we outline and discuss the fundamental roles of astrocytes in regulating synaptic GABA signaling. A major fraction of synaptic GABA is removed from the synapse by astrocytic uptake. Astrocytes utilize GABA as a metabolic substrate to support glutamine synthesis. The astrocyte-derived glutamine is subsequently transferred to neurons where it serves as the primary precursor of neuronal GABA synthesis. The flow of GABA and glutamine between neurons and astrocytes is collectively termed the GABA-glutamine cycle and is essential to sustain GABA synthesis and inhibitory signaling. In certain brain areas, astrocytes are even capable of synthesizing and releasing GABA to modulate inhibitory transmission. The majority of oxidative GABA metabolism in the brain takes place in astrocytes, which also leads to synthesis of the GABA-related metabolite γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB). The physiological roles of endogenous GHB remain unclear, but may be related to regulation of tonic inhibition and synaptic plasticity. Disrupted inhibitory signaling and dysfunctional astrocyte GABA handling are implicated in several diseases including epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease. Synaptic GABA homeostasis is under astrocytic control and astrocyte GABA uptake, metabolism, and recycling may therefore serve as relevant targets to ameliorate pathological inhibitory signaling.
AB - Synaptic regulation of the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is essential for brain function. Cerebral GABA homeostasis is tightly regulated through multiple mechanisms and is directly coupled to the metabolic collaboration between neurons and astrocytes. In this essay, we outline and discuss the fundamental roles of astrocytes in regulating synaptic GABA signaling. A major fraction of synaptic GABA is removed from the synapse by astrocytic uptake. Astrocytes utilize GABA as a metabolic substrate to support glutamine synthesis. The astrocyte-derived glutamine is subsequently transferred to neurons where it serves as the primary precursor of neuronal GABA synthesis. The flow of GABA and glutamine between neurons and astrocytes is collectively termed the GABA-glutamine cycle and is essential to sustain GABA synthesis and inhibitory signaling. In certain brain areas, astrocytes are even capable of synthesizing and releasing GABA to modulate inhibitory transmission. The majority of oxidative GABA metabolism in the brain takes place in astrocytes, which also leads to synthesis of the GABA-related metabolite γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB). The physiological roles of endogenous GHB remain unclear, but may be related to regulation of tonic inhibition and synaptic plasticity. Disrupted inhibitory signaling and dysfunctional astrocyte GABA handling are implicated in several diseases including epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease. Synaptic GABA homeostasis is under astrocytic control and astrocyte GABA uptake, metabolism, and recycling may therefore serve as relevant targets to ameliorate pathological inhibitory signaling.
KW - amino acid metabolism
KW - astrocytes
KW - GABA
KW - neurotransmitters
KW - synaptic transmission
U2 - 10.1042/EBC20220208
DO - 10.1042/EBC20220208
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 36806927
AN - SCOPUS:85149999644
VL - 67
SP - 77
EP - 91
JO - Essays in Biochemistry
JF - Essays in Biochemistry
SN - 0071-1365
IS - 1
ER -
ID: 341259823