Abstract
D-Aspartate (D-Asp) is an endogenous amino acid in the central nervous and reproductive systems of vertebrates and invertebrates. High concentrations of D-Asp are found in distinct anatomical locations, suggesting that it has specific physiological roles in animals. Many of the characteristics of D-Asp have been documented, including its tissue and cellular distribution, formation and degradation, as well as the responses elicited by D-Asp application. D-Asp performs important roles related to nervous system development and hormone regulation; in addition, it appears to act as a cell-to-cell signaling molecule. Recent studies have shown that D-Asp fulfills many, if not all, of the definitions of a classical neurotransmitter-that the molecule's biosynthesis, degradation, uptake, and release take place within the presynaptic neuron, and that it triggers a response in the postsynaptic neuron after its release. Accumulating evidence suggests that these criteria are met by a heterogeneous distribution of enzymes for D-Asp's biosynthesis and degradation, an appropriate uptake mechanism, localization within synaptic vesicles, and a postsynaptic response via an ionotropic receptor. Although D-Asp receptors remain to be characterized, the postsynaptic response of D-Asp has been studied and several L-glutamate receptors are known to respond to D-Asp. In this review, we discuss the current status of research on D-Asp in neuronal and neuroendocrine systems, and highlight results that support D-Asp's role as a signaling molecule.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1873-1886 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Amino Acids |
| Volume | 43 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Nov 1 2012 |
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Keywords
- D-Amino acids
- D-Aspartate
- Endocrine gland
- Nervous system
- Neurotransmitter
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry
- Clinical Biochemistry
- Organic Chemistry
Cite this
D-Aspartate acts as a signaling molecule in nervous and neuroendocrine systems. / Ota, Nobutoshi; Shi, Ting; Sweedler, Jonathan V.
In: Amino Acids, Vol. 43, No. 5, 01.11.2012, p. 1873-1886.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - D-Aspartate acts as a signaling molecule in nervous and neuroendocrine systems
AU - Ota, Nobutoshi
AU - Shi, Ting
AU - Sweedler, Jonathan V.
PY - 2012/11/1
Y1 - 2012/11/1
N2 - D-Aspartate (D-Asp) is an endogenous amino acid in the central nervous and reproductive systems of vertebrates and invertebrates. High concentrations of D-Asp are found in distinct anatomical locations, suggesting that it has specific physiological roles in animals. Many of the characteristics of D-Asp have been documented, including its tissue and cellular distribution, formation and degradation, as well as the responses elicited by D-Asp application. D-Asp performs important roles related to nervous system development and hormone regulation; in addition, it appears to act as a cell-to-cell signaling molecule. Recent studies have shown that D-Asp fulfills many, if not all, of the definitions of a classical neurotransmitter-that the molecule's biosynthesis, degradation, uptake, and release take place within the presynaptic neuron, and that it triggers a response in the postsynaptic neuron after its release. Accumulating evidence suggests that these criteria are met by a heterogeneous distribution of enzymes for D-Asp's biosynthesis and degradation, an appropriate uptake mechanism, localization within synaptic vesicles, and a postsynaptic response via an ionotropic receptor. Although D-Asp receptors remain to be characterized, the postsynaptic response of D-Asp has been studied and several L-glutamate receptors are known to respond to D-Asp. In this review, we discuss the current status of research on D-Asp in neuronal and neuroendocrine systems, and highlight results that support D-Asp's role as a signaling molecule.
AB - D-Aspartate (D-Asp) is an endogenous amino acid in the central nervous and reproductive systems of vertebrates and invertebrates. High concentrations of D-Asp are found in distinct anatomical locations, suggesting that it has specific physiological roles in animals. Many of the characteristics of D-Asp have been documented, including its tissue and cellular distribution, formation and degradation, as well as the responses elicited by D-Asp application. D-Asp performs important roles related to nervous system development and hormone regulation; in addition, it appears to act as a cell-to-cell signaling molecule. Recent studies have shown that D-Asp fulfills many, if not all, of the definitions of a classical neurotransmitter-that the molecule's biosynthesis, degradation, uptake, and release take place within the presynaptic neuron, and that it triggers a response in the postsynaptic neuron after its release. Accumulating evidence suggests that these criteria are met by a heterogeneous distribution of enzymes for D-Asp's biosynthesis and degradation, an appropriate uptake mechanism, localization within synaptic vesicles, and a postsynaptic response via an ionotropic receptor. Although D-Asp receptors remain to be characterized, the postsynaptic response of D-Asp has been studied and several L-glutamate receptors are known to respond to D-Asp. In this review, we discuss the current status of research on D-Asp in neuronal and neuroendocrine systems, and highlight results that support D-Asp's role as a signaling molecule.
KW - D-Amino acids
KW - D-Aspartate
KW - Endocrine gland
KW - Nervous system
KW - Neurotransmitter
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84868118002&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84868118002&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s00726-012-1364-1
DO - 10.1007/s00726-012-1364-1
M3 - Review article
C2 - 22872108
AN - SCOPUS:84868118002
VL - 43
SP - 1873
EP - 1886
JO - Amino Acids
JF - Amino Acids
SN - 0939-4451
IS - 5
ER -