Frontiers in Endocrinology (Oct 2013)
Protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylates the system N glutamine transporter SN1 (slc38a3) and regulates its membrane trafficking and degradation
Abstract
The system N transporter SN1 (also known as SNAT3) is enriched on perisynaptic astroglial cell membranes. SN1 mediates electroneutral and bidirectional glutamine transport, and regulates the intracellular as well as the extracellular concentrations of glutamine. We hypothesize that SN1 participates in the glutamate/GABA-glutamine cycle and regulates the amount of glutamine supplied to the nerve terminals for replenishment of the neurotransmitter pools of glutamate and GABA. We also hypothesize that its activity on the plasma membrane is regulated by PKC-mediated phosphorylation and that SN1 activity has an impact on synaptic plasticity. This review discusses inconcistencies reported in the regulation of SN1 by PKC and presents a consolidated model for regulation and degradation of SN1 and the subsequent functional implications. As SN1 function is likely also regulated by PKC-mediated phosphorylation in peripheral organs, the same mechanisms may, thus, have impact on e.g. pH regulation in the kidney, urea formation in the liver and insulin secretion in the pancreas.
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