Expression of non-organelle glutamate transporters to support peripheral tissue function

The goal of this chapter is to highlight some critical physiological relationships that exist among glutamate transport systems (biochemically defined activities), glutamate transporters (molecularly identified proteins capable of the biochemically defined activities), and the metabolism of glutamate by several peripheral (noncentral nervous system) tissues. Collectively, these processes account for much of the whole-body flux of nitrogen and carbon. Presented is (a) an overview of the importance of glutamate metabolism to the function of peripheral tissues, (b) molecular and functional characteristics, and expression patterns, of transport proteins capable of glutamate transport, (c) a detailed examination of how glutamate transport activities and proteins support the function of hepatic (mature and fetal), placental, white adipose, and muscle tissues, and (d) a listing of underexplored areas of research that this author thinks are important to more fully understand the integrated role of glutamate transport capacity and peripheral tissue function.