Excitatory amino acid transporter 3

Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 3 (EAAT3), also known as Solute Carrier Family 1 Member 1 (SLC1A1), is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SLC1A1 gene. EAAT3 is primarily responsible for the reuptake of glutamate in the brain, which is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the vertebrate nervous system.

Function

EAAT3 is a member of a family of the solute carrier family 1 (glial high affinity glutamate transporter), member 1. This family includes five high affinity glutamate transporters (EAAT1, EAAT2, EAAT3, EAAT4 and EAAT5) which play a major role in maintaining the homeostasis of the brain's glutamate concentration. EAAT3 is predominantly expressed in neurons, where it is believed to play a key role in neurotransmission, neuronal cell survival, and neurodevelopment.

Clinical Significance

Mutations in the SLC1A1 gene are associated with several neurological disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), schizophrenia, and epilepsy. In addition, altered expression of EAAT3 has been observed in Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's disease, suggesting a potential role in the pathogenesis of these neurodegenerative conditions.

Structure

The EAAT3 protein is composed of 524 amino acids and has a predicted molecular weight of approximately 57 kDa. It is a transmembrane protein that spans the cell membrane 8 times, forming a pore for the transport of glutamate and sodium ions.

See Also

• Excitatory Amino Acid Transporters
• Glutamate Transporter
• Neurotransmitter Transporter