Amplification of glutamate-induced oxidative stress

Glutamate is a ubiquitous neurotransmitter which causes excess neuronal excitotoxicity and neurodegenerative insults such as stroke, trauma and seizures. A salient feature of the activation of glutamate receptors is the induction of oxidative burst. Moreover, glutamate stimulates Ca2+ influx and translocates protein kinase C (PKC). PKC mediates cellular processes mediated via phosphorylations which may be essential for oxidative burst in many cells. Subsequent oxidative stress may be a causal factor of neurodegenerative diseases. Increased glutamate release and oxidative burst may thus both be essential in the cascade of events leading to neuronal damage. Glutamate may also mediate neurotoxic effects of environmental toxic agents such as lead which amplify glutamate excitotoxicity. In these interactions, excessive activation of glutamate receptors and oxidative burst may converge into a common pathway leading to cell death through a cascade involving PKC or other protein important in oxidative burst in neurons.