Synthesis of transmitter glutamate and the glial-neuron interrelationship

Glutamate in glutamatergic neurons exists in a cytosolic pool, as well as a transmitter pool, which is assumed to be localized in synaptic vesicles. Transmitter glutamate released from glutamatergic neurons is taken up by both neurons and glial cells, giving rise to a flux of glutamate from neurons to astrocytes. In astrocytes, glutamine is formed from glutamate by the glial-specific enzyme glutamine synthetase (EC 6.3.1.2). Glutamine diffuses back to neurons, where glutamate is formed by phosphate-activated glutaminase (EC 3.5.1.2). However, this cycle is not stoichiometric, and glutamine obtained from glial cells cannot replenish all transmitter glutamate lost from neurons. 2-Oxoglutarate is another putative precursor for transmitter glutamate. Net synthesis of citric acid cycle intermediates is dependent on carbon dioxide fixation to pyruvate, catalyzed by pyruvate carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.1). Since this enzyme is exclusively glial, a net flow of citric acid cycle intermediates from glial cells to neurons probably exists. The quantitative contribution of each transmitter precursor may not be the same in different regions of the brain and may vary with the metabolic state of the neuron. The pool of transmitter glutamate is most likely regulated by the activity of glutamate-forming enzymes in the nerve terminal, and/or by uptake/release of glutamate and glutamate precursors through the synaptosomal plasma membrane.