Abstract
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is considered to be the major inhibitory neurotransmitter that is synthesized in and released from GABA-ergic neurons in the brain. However, recent studies have shown that not only neurons but astrocytes contain a considerable amount of GABA, which can be released and activate the receptors responsive to GABA. In addition, astrocytes are themselves responsive to GABA by expressing GABA receptors. These exciting new findings raise more questions about the origin of GABA, whether it is synthesized or taken up, and about the role of astrocytic GABA and GABA receptors. In this review, we propose several potential pathways for astrocytes to accumulate GABA and discuss the evidence for functional expression of GABA receptors in astrocytes.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 2474-2479 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Neurochemical Research |
| Volume | 37 |
| Issue number | 11 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2012 Nov 1 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Astrocyte
- Glial GABA
- Tonic inhibition
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
Cite this
Astrocytes as GABA-ergic and GABA-ceptive cells. / Yoon, Bo Eun; Woo, Junsung; Lee, Changjoon.
In: Neurochemical Research, Vol. 37, No. 11, 01.11.2012, p. 2474-2479.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Astrocytes as GABA-ergic and GABA-ceptive cells
AU - Yoon, Bo Eun
AU - Woo, Junsung
AU - Lee, Changjoon
PY - 2012/11/1
Y1 - 2012/11/1
N2 - GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is considered to be the major inhibitory neurotransmitter that is synthesized in and released from GABA-ergic neurons in the brain. However, recent studies have shown that not only neurons but astrocytes contain a considerable amount of GABA, which can be released and activate the receptors responsive to GABA. In addition, astrocytes are themselves responsive to GABA by expressing GABA receptors. These exciting new findings raise more questions about the origin of GABA, whether it is synthesized or taken up, and about the role of astrocytic GABA and GABA receptors. In this review, we propose several potential pathways for astrocytes to accumulate GABA and discuss the evidence for functional expression of GABA receptors in astrocytes.
AB - GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is considered to be the major inhibitory neurotransmitter that is synthesized in and released from GABA-ergic neurons in the brain. However, recent studies have shown that not only neurons but astrocytes contain a considerable amount of GABA, which can be released and activate the receptors responsive to GABA. In addition, astrocytes are themselves responsive to GABA by expressing GABA receptors. These exciting new findings raise more questions about the origin of GABA, whether it is synthesized or taken up, and about the role of astrocytic GABA and GABA receptors. In this review, we propose several potential pathways for astrocytes to accumulate GABA and discuss the evidence for functional expression of GABA receptors in astrocytes.
KW - Astrocyte
KW - Glial GABA
KW - Tonic inhibition
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84871439428&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84871439428&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s11064-012-0808-z
DO - 10.1007/s11064-012-0808-z
M3 - Article
VL - 37
SP - 2474
EP - 2479
JO - Neurochemical Research
JF - Neurochemical Research
SN - 0364-3190
IS - 11
ER -