SLC1A2
Encyclopedia
Excitatory amino-acid transporter 2 (EAAT2) also known as solute carrier family 1 member 2 (SLC1A2) is a protein
that in humans is encoded by the SLC1A2 gene
. Alternatively spliced transcript variants of this gene have been described, but their full-length nature is not known.
of proteins. The membrane-bound protein is the principal transporter that clears the excitatory neurotransmitter
glutamate
from the extracellular space at synapses in the central nervous system. Glutamate clearance is necessary for proper synaptic activation and to prevent neuronal damage from excessive activation of glutamate receptor
s.
.
Ceftriaxone
, an antibiotic, has been shown to induce/enhance the expression of EAAT2, resulting in reduced glutamate activity. Ceftriaxone has been shown to reduce the development and expression of tolerance to opiates and other drugs of abuse. EAAT2 may possess an important role in modulating drug addiction and tolerance.
with JUB
.
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
that in humans is encoded by the SLC1A2 gene
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
. Alternatively spliced transcript variants of this gene have been described, but their full-length nature is not known.
Function
SLC1A2 / EAAT2 is a member of a family of the solute carrier familySolute carrier family
The solute carrier group of membrane transport proteins include over 300 members organized into 51 families. The SLC gene nomenclature system was originally proposed by the Human Genome Organization and is the basis for the official HUGO names of the genes that encode these transporters...
of proteins. The membrane-bound protein is the principal transporter that clears the excitatory neurotransmitter
Neurotransmitter
Neurotransmitters are endogenous chemicals that transmit signals from a neuron to a target cell across a synapse. Neurotransmitters are packaged into synaptic vesicles clustered beneath the membrane on the presynaptic side of a synapse, and are released into the synaptic cleft, where they bind to...
glutamate
Glutamic acid
Glutamic acid is one of the 20 proteinogenic amino acids, and its codons are GAA and GAG. It is a non-essential amino acid. The carboxylate anions and salts of glutamic acid are known as glutamates...
from the extracellular space at synapses in the central nervous system. Glutamate clearance is necessary for proper synaptic activation and to prevent neuronal damage from excessive activation of glutamate receptor
Glutamate receptor
Glutamate receptors are synaptic receptors located primarily on the membranes of neuronal cells. Glutamate is one of the 20 amino acids used to assemble proteins and as a result is abundant in many areas of the body, but it also functions as a neurotransmitter and is particularly abundant in the...
s.
Clinical significance
Mutations in and decreased expression of this protein are associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosisAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , also referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a form of motor neuron disease caused by the degeneration of upper and lower neurons, located in the ventral horn of the spinal cord and the cortical neurons that provide their efferent input...
.
Ceftriaxone
Ceftriaxone
Ceftriaxone is a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. Like other third-generation cephalosporins, it has broad spectrum activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In most cases, it is considered to be equivalent to cefotaxime in terms of safety and efficacy...
, an antibiotic, has been shown to induce/enhance the expression of EAAT2, resulting in reduced glutamate activity. Ceftriaxone has been shown to reduce the development and expression of tolerance to opiates and other drugs of abuse. EAAT2 may possess an important role in modulating drug addiction and tolerance.
Interactions
SLC1A2 has been shown to interactProtein-protein interaction
Protein–protein interactions occur when two or more proteins bind together, often to carry out their biological function. Many of the most important molecular processes in the cell such as DNA replication are carried out by large molecular machines that are built from a large number of protein...
with JUB
JUB (gene)
Protein ajuba is a protein that in humans is encoded by the JUB gene.JUB proteins contribute to cell fate determination and regulate cell proliferation and differentiation...
.