Molecular Mechanisms of Vesicular Glutamate Transport

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The broad long-term goal of this proposal is to define mechanisms involved in the regulation of information processing in the brain and how these mechanisms may impact on neuronal injury. Synaptic transmission, the major neuron specific mechanism for cell-to-cell communication, requires the concentration of neurotransmitters into synaptic vesicles to facilitate their rapid and precise release. Recently, the proteins responsible for the storage of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate in synaptic vesicles have been identified. However, the basic mechanisms by which these proteins (VGLUT1 and VGLUT2) function remain undetermined. Data suggests that VGLUT1 may also transport phosphate and function as a chloride channel. Since these additional functions will influence vesicular glutamate storage, it is important to clearly characterize the nature of the role that VGLUT1 plays in these processes. Three Aims are proposed to address these issues. The first Aim of this proposal is to define mechanism by which VGLUT1 catalyzes the accumulation of glutamate in synaptic vesicles. The second Aim is to determine if, in addition to transporting glutamate into vesicles, VGLUT1 also functions as a phosphate transport or chloride channel. The third Aim is to determine the secondary structure of VGLUT1 and the relationship of the structure to the functions of the protein. Progress in these Aims will lead to an improved understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of vesicular glutamate transport and insight into the role of VGLUT1 in vesicular storage of glutamate, synaptic transmission and excitotoxicity.