The glutamatergic system outside the CNS and in cancer biology

Abstract

Glutamate is a major excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS. The signalling machinery consists of: glutamate receptors, which are responsible for signal input; plasma glutamate transporters, which are responsible for signal termination; and vesicular glutamate transporters for signal output through exocytic release. Recently, data have suggested that the glutamatergic system plays an important role in non-neuronal tissues. In addition, the expression of glutamatergic system has been implicated in tumour biology. This review outlines the evidence, which suggests that the glutamatergic system may have an important role in cancer biology.

Keywords::

• cancer
• glutamate
• glutamate receptors
• glutamate transporters
• peripheral tissues