Slc1a2

Domain

Contains eight transmembrane regions plus two helical hairpins that dip into the membrane. These helical hairpin structures play an important role in the transport process. The first enters the membrane from the cytoplasmic side, the second one from the extracellular side. During the transport cycle, the regions involved in amino acid transport, and especially the helical hairpins, move vertically by about 15-18 Angstroms, alternating between exposure to the aqueous phase and reinsertion in the lipid bilayer. In contrast, the regions involved in trimerization do not move.

Function

Sodium-dependent, high-affinity amino acid transporter that mediates the uptake of L-glutamate and also L-aspartate and D-aspartate (PubMed:7698742, PubMed:7557442, PubMed:9373176). Functions as a symporter that transports one amino acid molecule together with two or three Na(+) ions and one proton, in parallel with the counter-transport of one K(+) ion. Mediates Cl(-) flux that is not coupled to amino acid transport; this avoids the accumulation of negative charges due to aspartate and Na(+) symport (By similarity). Essential for the rapid removal of released glutamate from the synaptic cleft, and for terminating the postsynaptic action of glutamate (PubMed:9180080).

Post-translational modifications

Glycosylated.

Palmitoylation at Cys-38 is not required for correct subcellular localization, but is important for glutamate uptake activity.

Sequence similarities

Belongs to the dicarboxylate/amino acid:cation symporter (DAACS) (TC 2.A.23) family. SLC1A2 subfamily.

Tissue specificity

Detected in brain (PubMed:9180080). Detected in embryonic forebrain, especially in globus pallidus, perirhinal cortex, lateral hypothalamus, hippocampus, and on fimbria and axonal pathways connecting the neocortex, basal ganglia and thalamus (at protein level) (PubMed:16880397). Isoform GLT1 is expressed in the brain (PubMed:7698742, PubMed:7557442, PubMed:9373176, PubMed:9180080). Isoforms GLT-1A and GLT-1B are expressed in the liver (PubMed:9373176).

Cellular localization

• Cell membrane
• Multi-pass membrane protein

Alternative names

• Excitatory amino acid transporter 2
• GLT-1
• Sodium-dependent glutamate/aspartate transporter 2
• Solute carrier family 1 member 2
• Glt1
• Eaat2
• Slc1a2

Database links

• entrezGene:20511
• swissprot:P43006

Target type

Proteins

Primary research area

Neuroscience

Molecular weight

62030Da