Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

The Blood-brain Barrier00:49

The Blood-brain Barrier

54.7K
Overview
54.7K
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism01:30

Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism

4.5K
Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in intercellular communication and functions of the nervous system. They allow the influx of ions across the membrane once the neurotransmitter binds, allowing the subsequent transmission of electrical excitation across the neurons. Other ligand-gated ion channels, like the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, permit anions like chloride into the cells on the binding of the GABA molecule. Their entry into the cell...
4.5K
Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists01:14

Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists

1.1K
Glutamate is a fundamental neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, playing a vital role in neuronal communication and various cognitive processes. Glutamate stands as the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Its presence is crucial for the communication between neurons, underpinning essential processes such as synaptic transmission, neuronal excitability, and plasticity. These functions are vital for higher-order cognitive processes, including learning and memory. The...
1.1K
Factors Affecting Drug Distribution: Physiological Barriers01:23

Factors Affecting Drug Distribution: Physiological Barriers

870
Drug distribution in the body is intricately regulated by various physiological barriers that control the passage of substances. These include the capillary endothelial barrier, the blood-brain, blood-cerebrospinal fluid, blood-placental, and blood-testis barriers.
The capillary endothelial barrier allows only smaller molecules below 600 Da (Daltons) to pass through. It also restricts drugs like heparin that are bound to blood components, limiting their movement within the bloodstream.
The...
870
Physiological Barriers01:25

Physiological Barriers

5.5K
Physiological barriers are semi-permeable cellular structures restricting drug diffusion into intracellular compartments and tissues. There are six types of physiological barriers: blood endothelial, cell membrane, blood-brain, blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood-placenta, and blood-testis barriers.
The blood endothelial barrier is the most porous of these. It allows all small ionized, un-ionized, and lipophilic molecules to pass through the endothelial lining into the interstitial space...
5.5K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

The Length of Lactation and Model of Weaning Modulate Key Regulatory Nodes of Murine Mammary Gland Involution.

International journal of molecular sciences·2025
Same author

The Effects of FemmeBalance Supplement on Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome: A Four-Cycle Single-Arm Observational Study of a Novel Nutritional Supplement.

Life (Basel, Switzerland)·2025
Same author

Association of Lycopene and Male Reproductive Health: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

International journal of molecular sciences·2025
Same author

Association Between Lycopene and Metabolic Disease Risk and Mortality: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Life (Basel, Switzerland)·2025
Same author

Nutrition, Lifestyle, and Environmental Factors in Lung Homeostasis and Respiratory Health.

Nutrients·2025
Same author

Efficacy of <i>N</i>-Acetylcysteine in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Nutrients·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 13, 2026

Isolation of Cerebral Capillaries from Fresh Human Brain Tissue
06:35

Isolation of Cerebral Capillaries from Fresh Human Brain Tissue

Published on: September 12, 2018

13.4K

How Glutamate Is Managed by the Blood-Brain Barrier.

Richard A Hawkins1, Juan R Viña2

  • 1Department of Physiology and Biophysics, The Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL 60088, USA. rah@postharvard.edu.

Biology
|October 15, 2016
PubMed
Summary

The blood-brain barrier actively transports glutamate and glutamine into brain endothelial cells, not directly into the brain. This process utilizes sodium-dependent transporters and facilitates brain amino acid homeostasis.

Keywords:
BBB (blood–brain barrier)amino acid transportbrainglutamateglutamineoxoproline

More Related Videos

Using Enzyme-based Biosensors to Measure Tonic and Phasic Glutamate in Alzheimer's Mouse Models
10:46

Using Enzyme-based Biosensors to Measure Tonic and Phasic Glutamate in Alzheimer's Mouse Models

Published on: May 3, 2017

11.8K
Setting-up an In Vitro Model of Rat Blood-brain Barrier BBB: A Focus on BBB Impermeability and Receptor-mediated Transport
16:26

Setting-up an In Vitro Model of Rat Blood-brain Barrier BBB: A Focus on BBB Impermeability and Receptor-mediated Transport

Published on: June 28, 2014

43.6K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 13, 2026

Isolation of Cerebral Capillaries from Fresh Human Brain Tissue
06:35

Isolation of Cerebral Capillaries from Fresh Human Brain Tissue

Published on: September 12, 2018

13.4K
Using Enzyme-based Biosensors to Measure Tonic and Phasic Glutamate in Alzheimer's Mouse Models
10:46

Using Enzyme-based Biosensors to Measure Tonic and Phasic Glutamate in Alzheimer's Mouse Models

Published on: May 3, 2017

11.8K
Setting-up an In Vitro Model of Rat Blood-brain Barrier BBB: A Focus on BBB Impermeability and Receptor-mediated Transport
16:26

Setting-up an In Vitro Model of Rat Blood-brain Barrier BBB: A Focus on BBB Impermeability and Receptor-mediated Transport

Published on: June 28, 2014

43.6K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The blood-brain barrier (BBB) was assumed to facilitate glutamate entry into the brain.
  • Brain glutamate levels significantly exceed plasma levels, suggesting limited passive entry.
  • Previous studies indicated minimal glutamate transport across the BBB except in specific regions.

Approach:

  • Isolated luminal and abluminal membranes of the BBB for separate analysis.
  • Investigated the presence and function of amino acid transporters on each membrane.
  • Examined the role of sodium gradients and the gamma-glutamyl cycle in amino acid transport.

Key Points:

  • Facilitative transport of glutamate and glutamine occurs on luminal (blood-facing) BBB membranes.
  • Na+-dependent transport systems for glutamate and glutamine are exclusively on abluminal (brain-facing) membranes.
  • Abluminal transporters actively move amino acids into endothelial cells, utilizing the Na+ gradient.

Conclusions:

  • Glutamate exits endothelial cells to the blood via luminal facilitative transporters.
  • Glutamine can exit to the blood or be hydrolyzed within the BBB, releasing ammonia.
  • The gamma-glutamyl cycle indirectly influences BBB transport by producing oxoproline, stimulating transporters.