The nutritive function of glia is regulated by signals released by neurons.
Glia
; 21(1): 84-91, 1997 Sep.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-9298850
The idea of a metabolic coupling between neurons and astrocytes in the brain has been entertained for about 100 years. The use recently of simple and well-compartmentalized nervous systems, such as the honeybee retina or purified preparations of neurons and glia, provided strong support for a nutritive function of glial cells: glial cells transform glucose to a fuel substrate taken up and used by neurons. Particularly, in the honeybee retina, photoreceptor-neurons consume alanine supplied by glial cells and exogenous proline. NH4+ and glutamate are transported into glia by functional plasma membrane transport systems. During increased activity a transient rise in the intraglial concentration of NH4+ or of glutamate causes a net increase in the level of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotides [NAD(P)H]. Quantitative biochemistry showed that this is due to activation of glycolysis in glial cells by the direct action of NH4+ and of glutamate, probably on the enzymatic reactions controlled by phosphofructokinase alanine aminotransferase and glutamate dehydrogenase. This activation leads to a massive increase in the production and release of alanine by glia. This constitutes an intracellular signal and it depends upon the rate of conversion of NH4+ and of glutamate to alanine and alpha-ketoglutarate, respectively, in the glial cells. Alanine and alpha-ketoglutarate are released extracellularly and then taken up by neurons where they contribute to the maintenance of the mitochondrial redox potential. This signaling raises the novel hypothesis of a tight regulation of the nutritive function of glia.
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Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Neuroglía
/
Células Fotorreceptoras de Invertebrados
/
Glucosa
/
Neuronas
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Glia
Asunto de la revista:
NEUROLOGIA
Año:
1997
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Suiza
Pais de publicación:
Estados Unidos