wiki pageCreated: 2026-04-02T07:19:10By: crosslink-migrationQuality:
50%✓ SciDEXID: wiki-proteins-slc1a3-protein
📖 Wiki Page
protein682 wordssynced 2026-04-02
slc1a3 Protein
Introduction
Slc1A3 Protein is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
<div class="infobox infobox-protein"> [@levy1998]
| Attribute | Value | [@bridges2005] |-----------|-------| | Protein Name | Sodium/Glutamate Transporter 3 | | Gene Symbol | SLC1A3 | | UniProt ID | [P43003](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P43003) | | NCBI Gene ID | [6508](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/6508) | | Protein Family | SLC1 family (EAAT) | | Molecular Weight | ~59 kDa | | Subcellular Location | Plasma membrane | | Expression | Brain (astrocytes, neurons), retina |
</div>}
Overview
SLC1A3 (Sodium/Glutamate Transporter 3), also known as EAAT1, is the primary glutamate transporter in astrocytes and plays a critical role in maintaining extracellular glutamate levels, preventing excitotoxicity, and supporting synaptic transmission.
Molecular Function
Transport Cycle
Na+ binding - 3 sodium ions bind first
Glutamate binding - Substrate binds to open extracellular side
Conformational change - Translocation of substrate and ions
K+ binding - Potassium binds to intracellular side
Return cycle - Transporter returns to initial state
Cellular Functions
...
slc1a3 Protein
Introduction
Slc1A3 Protein is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
<div class="infobox infobox-protein"> [@levy1998]
| Attribute | Value | [@bridges2005] |-----------|-------| | Protein Name | Sodium/Glutamate Transporter 3 | | Gene Symbol | SLC1A3 | | UniProt ID | [P43003](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P43003) | | NCBI Gene ID | [6508](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/6508) | | Protein Family | SLC1 family (EAAT) | | Molecular Weight | ~59 kDa | | Subcellular Location | Plasma membrane | | Expression | Brain (astrocytes, neurons), retina |
</div>}
Overview
SLC1A3 (Sodium/Glutamate Transporter 3), also known as EAAT1, is the primary glutamate transporter in astrocytes and plays a critical role in maintaining extracellular glutamate levels, preventing excitotoxicity, and supporting synaptic transmission.
Molecular Function
Transport Cycle
Na+ binding - 3 sodium ions bind first
Glutamate binding - Substrate binds to open extracellular side
Conformational change - Translocation of substrate and ions
K+ binding - Potassium binds to intracellular side
Return cycle - Transporter returns to initial state
Cellular Functions
Glutamate clearance - Prevents excitotoxicity
Glutamate recycling - Supplies glutamate for neurotransmission
PMID: 10953984(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10953984/) - EAAT1 in brain
PMID: 20176268(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20176268/) - EAAT1 and disease
Expression and Distribution
Regional Expression
EAAT1/GLAST is predominantly expressed in:
[Astrocytes](/entities/astrocytes): Primary cellular expression site
Bergmann glia: Cerebellar specific astrocytes
Oligodendrocytes: Lower expression
[Neurons](/entities/neurons): Minimal expression under normal conditions
Developmental Pattern
Present early in development
Expression increases postnatally
Sustained throughout adulthood
Age-related decline observed
Disease Mechanisms
Epilepsy
EAAT1 dysfunction contributes to excitotoxicity
Mutations cause episodic ataxia type 6
Altered glutamate uptake in seizure foci
Alzheimer's Disease
Reduced EAAT1 expression in AD brains
Contributes to excitotoxic cell death
Correlation with cognitive decline
Parkinson's Disease
EAAT1 alterations in substantia nigra
May contribute to dopaminergic neuron loss
Potential therapeutic target
Therapeutic Targeting
Small Molecule Modulators
CEPG: EAAT1 selective agonist
LY-379268: Group I mGluR agonist (indirect)
Clintriptyline: EAAT1 enhancer
Gene Therapy Approaches
AAV-mediated EAAT1 delivery
Astrocyte-specific promoters
Combination approaches with neurotrophic factors
Background
The study of Slc1A3 Protein has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.
Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.
[Storck T, Schulte S, Hofmann K, et al, Structure, expression, and functional analysis of a Na(+)-dependent glutamate/aspartate transporter from rat brain (1992)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8394501/)
[Levy LM, Warr O, Attwell D, Stoichiometry of the glial glutamate transporter GLT-1 expressed inducibly in a Chinese hamster ovary cell line (1998)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10953984/)
[Bridges RJ, Esslinger CS, The excitatory amino acid transporters: pharmacological insights from molecular pharmacology and mutant mice (2005)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20176268/)