process

Glutamate-glutamine cycle

Following its packaging into synaptic vesicles by a Mg2+/ATP-dependent transport process, glutamate-filled vesicles are ready to dock and be released from presynaptic sites. Glutamate is removed from the synaptic cleft by several high-affinity glutamate transporters present in both glial cells and presynaptic terminals. Glial cells contain the enzyme glutamine synthetase, which converts glutamate into glutamine; glutamine is then transported out of the glial cells and into nerve terminals. In this way, synaptic terminals cooperate with glial cells to maintain an adequate supply of the neurotransmitter. This overall sequence of events is referred to as the glutamate-glutamine cycle.

Ref:
Purves D, Augustine GJ, Fitzpatrick D, et al., editors. Neuroscience. 2nd edition. Sunderland (MA): Sinauer Associates; 2001. Glutamate. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK10807/

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Added on Sep 26, 2022 by Barbara Van De Keer
Edited on Sep 28, 2022 by Barbara Van De Keer

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