GLUTAMATE RECEPTORS IN ASTROCYTIC END-FEET

GLIAL cells in the mammalian central nervous system,like neurons, poss ess glutamate receptors suggesting that neuronal-glial communication v ia neurotransmitters is an important component of brain function. In t he bovine corpus callosum, GLUR-1, an alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4 isoxazolepropionate (AMPA)/kainate receptor subtype, is a major type of glutamate receptor. It is distributed along astrocytic processes an d it is particularly abundant in the end-feet and the glial fibers sur rounding the capillaries. This close spatial relationship between GLUR -1 receptors in astrocytes and endothelial cells suggests that these r eceptors may be activated by glutamate transported across the blood-br ain barrier an late the barrier itself by ensuing astrocyte-endothelia l cell interactions.