P43003

EAAT1 (also designated Excitatory amino acid transporter 1, SLC1A3) is one of the two glial glutamate transporters that clear the extracellular glutamate generated during neuronal signal transmission. Excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) are membrane-bound proteins that are localized in glial cells and pre-synaptic glutamatergic nerve endings. EAATs transport the excitatory neurotransmitters L-glutamate and D-aspartate, a process that is essential for terminating the postsynaptic acction of glutamate. The reuptake of amino acid neurotransmitters by EAAT proteins has been shown to protect neurons from excitotoxicity, which is caused by the accumulation of amino acid neurotransmitters.