[Glial cells and synaptic activity: translational control of metabolic coupling]

Traditionally regarded as supportive cells, glial cells have been barely studied in the context of brain physiology. No attention has been paid to the fact that these cells outcome neurons by an estimated factor of ten, and more importantly that they surround synapses. Moreover, cells of glial linage influence the formation of the so-called brain blood barrier representing a link between the concentration of metabolites in the systemic compartment and the cerebrospinal fluid.

Using as a model system the cerebellar glutamatergic synapses, in this contribution, we analyze the molecular transactions triggered by glutamate within glial cells that are involved neuronal-glia metabolic coupling.

A tight coupling between sustained neuronal glutamate release, glial glutamate uptake, glial glutamine production and release is based on the control of the translation of selective mRNAs.