glutamate

Examples of glutamate in the following topics:

• Synaptic Plasticity

  • One known mechanism involves a type of postsynaptic glutamate receptor: NMDA (N-Methyl-D-aspartate) receptors .
  • Therefore, the next time glutamate is released from the presynaptic membrane, it will have a larger excitatory effect (EPSP) on the postsynaptic cell because the binding of glutamate to these AMPA receptors will allow more positive ions into the cell.
  • With the decrease in AMPA receptors in the membrane, the postsynaptic neuron is less responsive to the glutamate released from the presynaptic neuron.
  • LTD occurs when few glutamate molecules bind to NMDA receptors at a synapse (due to a low firing rate of the presynaptic neuron).
  • This makes the postsynaptic neuron less responsive to glutamate released from the presynaptic neuron.

• Neurotransmitters

  • Another group of neurotransmitters are amino acids, including glutamate (Glu), GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid, a derivative of glutamate), and glycine (Gly).
  • Glutamate is one of the 20 amino acids used to make proteins.
  • The amino acid neurotransmitters (glutamate, glycine, and GABA) are almost exclusively associated with just one effect.
  • Glutamate is considered an excitatory amino acid because Glu receptors in the adult cause depolarization of the postsynaptic cell.
  • On the other hand, when an excess of the neurotransmitter dopamine blocks glutamate receptors, disorders like schizophrenia can occur.

• Industrial Microorganisms

  • In particular, the amino acids produced by Corynebacterium glutamicum include the amino acid glutamic acid.
  • Glutamic acid is used as a common additive in food production, where it is known as monosodium glutamate (MSG).

• Types of Neurotransmitters by Function

  • Glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are amino acid-based neurotransmitters.
  • The most prevalent transmitter in the human brain is glutamate, which promotes excitatory effects by  increasing the probability that the target cell will fire an action potential.
  • The next most prevalent is GABA, which is inhibitory at more than 90% of the synapses that do not use glutamate.

• Classification of Neurons

  • For example, the two most common neurotransmitters in the brain (90% of neurons), glutamate and GABA, have opposing actions.
  • Glutamate acts on several different types of receptors, and has effects that are largely excitatory.

• Citric Acid and Other Organic Compounds

  • The food additivemonosodium glutamate (MSG) is produced in the form of glutamic acid by Corynebacterium glutamicum.

• Hallucinogens

  • Hallucinogens affect the levels of serotonin or glutamate in the brain and are divided into psychedelics, dissociatives, and deleriants.
  • Primary dissociatives are NMDA antagonists, which block glutamate from entering its receptors and regulating brain function.
  • PCP (or angel dust), a dissociative, prevents the actions normally caused when a neurotransmitter called glutamate is able to attach to its receptor in the brain.

• Tastes and Odors

  • The taste of umami, also known as savoriness, is attributable to the taste of the amino acid L-glutamate.
  • In fact, monosodium glutamate, or MSG, is often used in cooking to enhance the savory taste of certain foods.

• Planctomycetes

  • Instead, their walls are made up of glycoprotein rich in glutamate.

• Digestive Properties of the Stomach

  • The stomach can "taste" sodium glutamate using glutamate receptors.