Glial transport of the neuromodulator D-serine

Brain Res. 2002 Mar 8;929(2):202-9. doi: 10.1016/s0006-8993(01)03390-x.

Abstract

D-Serine is an endogenous agonist of NMDA receptors that occurs in astrocytes in gray matter areas of the brain. D-Serine is synthesized from L-serine by the activity of a glial enriched serine racemase, but little is known on the properties of D-serine transport and factors regulating its synaptic concentration. In the present report we characterize the transport of D-serine in astrocytes. In primary astrocyte cultures, D-serine uptake is dependent on sodium ions and exhibits both low affinity and low specificity for D-serine. The kinetics of D-serine transport resembles that of ASCT type transporters as several small neutral amino acids strongly inhibit the uptake of D-serine. D-Serine fluxes are coupled to counter-movement of L-serine and to a less extent to other small neutral amino acids. Thus, addition of D-serine to cell cultures elicits robust efflux of intracellular L-serine. Conversely, physiological concentrations of L-serine induce efflux of preloaded D-serine from astrocytes. L-Serine was more effective than kainate, which have been previously shown to induce D-serine release from astrocytes upon stimulation of non-NMDA type of glutamate receptors. The features of D-serine transport we describe reveal possible new mechanisms controlling the synaptic concentration of D-serine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids, Neutral / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Astrocytes / metabolism*
  • Binding, Competitive
  • Biological Transport / drug effects
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists / pharmacokinetics*
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists / pharmacology
  • Intracellular Membranes / metabolism
  • Ions
  • Kinetics
  • Neurotransmitter Agents / chemistry
  • Neurotransmitter Agents / pharmacokinetics*
  • Neurotransmitter Agents / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Serine / chemistry
  • Serine / pharmacokinetics*
  • Serine / pharmacology
  • Sodium / metabolism
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Amino Acids, Neutral
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists
  • Ions
  • Neurotransmitter Agents
  • Serine
  • Sodium