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Updated: May 12, 2026
11:25
Isolation and Culture of Mouse Cortical Astrocytes
Published on: January 19, 2013
GlyT1 and GlyT2 in brain astrocytes: expression, distribution and function
Rita I Aroeira1, Ana M Sebastião, Cláudia A Valente
1Institute of Pharmacology and Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, and Unit of Neurosciences, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Lisbon, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal.
Brain Structure & Function
|March 27, 2013
Summary
Astrocytes express functional glycine transporter 2 (GlyT2), challenging prior beliefs. This study reveals both GlyT1 and GlyT2 transporters in astrocytes, offering new insights into brain glycine transport and neurotransmission.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Neurochemistry
Background:
- Glycine transporters GlyT1 and GlyT2 regulate glycine levels in the synaptic cleft.
- Previous research suggested GlyT2 is primarily located on nerve terminals, not astrocytes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and function of GlyT1 and GlyT2 in rat cortical astrocytes during maturation.
- To determine the localization and kinetic properties of these glycine transporters in astrocytes.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative PCR and Western blot to assess transcript and protein expression.
- Immunofluorescence staining in cultured astrocytes and brain slices.
- Radiolabeled glycine uptake assays to characterize transporter kinetics.
Main Results:
- Both GlyT1 and GlyT2 transcripts and proteins are expressed in rat cortical astrocytes across maturation stages.
- GlyT1 and GlyT2 are localized in both the cell body and processes of astrocytes.
- Functional uptake experiments demonstrated concentration-dependent glycine transport by both GlyT1 and GlyT2, with distinct affinities (GlyT1: Km ~51 µM, GlyT2: Km ~1801 µM).
Conclusions:
- Astrocytes express functional GlyT2, contradicting previous assumptions of its restriction to nerve terminals.
- The presence of both GlyT1 and GlyT2 in astrocytes provides novel insights into astrocytic roles in glycinergic neurotransmission.
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