Up-Regulation of the Excitatory Amino Acid Transporters EAAT1 and EAAT2 by Mammalian Target of Rapamycin.

BACKGROUND: The excitatory amino-acid transporters EAAT1 and EAAT2 clear glutamate from the synaptic cleft and thus terminate neuronal excitation. The carriers are subject to regulation by various kinases. The EAAT3 isoform is regulated by mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). The present study thus explored whether mTOR influences transport by EAAT1 and/or EAAT2.

METHODS: cRNA encoding wild type EAAT1 (SLC1A3) or EAAT2 (SLC1A2) was injected into Xenopus oocytes without or with additional injection of cRNA encoding mTOR. Dual electrode voltage clamp was performed in order to determine electrogenic glutamate transport (IEAAT). EAAT2 protein abundance was determined utilizing chemiluminescence.

RESULTS: Appreciable IEAAT was observed in EAAT1 or EAAT2 expressing but not in water injected oocytes. IEAAT was significantly increased by coexpression of mTOR. Coexpression of mTOR increased significantly the maximal IEAAT in EAAT1 or EAAT2 expressing oocytes, without significantly modifying affinity of the carriers. Moreover, coexpression of mTOR increased significantly EAAT2 protein abundance in the cell membrane.

CONCLUSIONS: The kinase mTOR up-regulates the excitatory amino acid transporters EAAT1 and EAAT2.