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GlutamateGlutamic acid (abbreviated as Glu or E) is one of the 20 proteinogenic amino acids and its codons are GAA and GAG. It is a non-essential amino acid. The carboxylate anions and salts of glutamic acid are known as glutamates. NeurotransmitterGlutamate is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian nervous system. At chemical synapses, glutamate is stored in vesicles. Nerve impulses trigger release of glutamate from the pre-synaptic cell. In the opposing post-synaptic cell, glutamate receptors, such as the NMDA receptor, bind glutamate and are activated. Because of its role in synaptic plasticity, it is believed that glutamic acid is involved in cognitive functions like learning and memory in the brain. ________________________ Glutamate transporters are found in neuronal and glial membranes. They rapidly remove glutamate from the extracellular space. In brain injury or disease, they can work in reverse and excess glutamate can accumulate outside cells. This process causes calcium ions to enter cells via NMDA receptor channels, leading to neuronal damage and eventual cell death, and is called excitotoxicity. The mechanisms of cell death include:
Excitotoxicity due to glutamate occurs as part of the ischemic cascade and is associated with stroke and diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, lathyrism, autism, some forms of mental retardation and Alzheimer's disease. ________________________ Glutamic acid has been implicated in epileptic seizures. Microinjection of glutamic acid into neurons produces spontaneous depolarisations around one second apart, and this firing pattern is similar to what is known as paroxysmal depolarizing shift in epileptic attacks. This change in the resting membrane potential at seizure foci could cause spontaneous opening of voltage-activated calcium channels, leading to glutamic acid release and further depolarization. ________________________ Experimental techniques to detect glutamate in intact cells include using a genetically-engineered nanosensor. The sensor is a fusion of a glutamate-binding protein and two fluorescent proteins. When glutamate binds, the fluorescence of the sensor under ultraviolet light changes by resonance between the two fluorophores. Introduction of the nanosensor into cells enables optical detection of the glutamate concentration. Synthetic analogs of glutamic acid that can be activated by ultraviolet light and two-photon excitation microscopy have also been described. This method of rapidly uncaging by photostimulation is useful for mapping the connections between neurons, and understanding synapse function. ________________________ GABA precursorGlutamic acid also serves as the precursor for the synthesis of the inhibitory GABA in GABA-ergic neurons. This reaction is catalyzed by glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), which is most abundant in the cerebellum and pancreas. ________________________ Stiff-man syndrome is a neurologic disorder caused by anti-GAD antibodies, leading to a decrease in GABA synthesis and therefore, impaired motor function such as muscle stiffness and spasm. Since the pancreas is also abundant for the enzyme GAD, a direct immunological destruction occurs in the pancreas and the patients will have diabetes mellitus.
Flavor enhancer
Free glutamic acid is present in a wide variety of foods, including cheese and soy sauce and is responsible for one of the five basic tastes of the human sense of taste (umami). Glutamic acid is often used as a food additive and flavour enhancer in the form of its sodium salt, monosodium glutamate (MSG). NutrientAll meats, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, as well as kombu are excellent sources of glutamic acid. Some protein-rich plant foods also serve as sources. Ninety-five percent of the dietary glutamate is metabolized by intestinal cells in a first pass.
Plant growthAuxigro is a plant growth preparation that contains 30% glutamic acid.
ProductionChina-based Fufeng Group Limited is the largest producer of glutamic acid in the world, with capacity increasing to 300,000 tons at the end of 2006 from 180,000 tons during 2006, putting them at 25%–30% of the Chinese market. Meihua is the second largest Chinese producer. Together, the top five producers have roughly 50% share in China. Chinese demand is roughly 1.1 million tons per year, while global demand, including China, is 1.7 million tons per year. PharmacologyThe drug phencyclidine (more commonly known as PCP) antagonizes glutamic acid non-competitively at the NMDA receptor. For the same reasons, sub-anaesthetic doses of Ketamine have strong dissociative and hallucinogenic effects. Glutamate does not easily pass the blood brain barrier, but instead this transport is mediated by a high affinity transport system. It can also be converted into glutamine.
Role in sickle-cell diseaseA point mutation (valine in place of glutamic acid at position 6) in the β-globin chain of hemoglobin forms HbS. This variant of hemoglobin can cause sickle-cell anemia, where the abnormal hemoglobin are prone to polymerization when deoxygenated, thus distorting the erythrocyte which are removed by the spleen or cause microvascular obstruction (ischemic crises). This trait and disease is common in areas with a high prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum (one of three Plasmodium species that causes malaria).
________________________ Read the complete Article in Wikipedia, Feb 22, 2009 *Glutamic acid. (2009, February 23). In Wikipedia,The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21:57, February 24, 2009, fromhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Glutamic_acid&oldid=272693703______________________ Read the complete Article in Wikipedia June 12, 2011 ** Glutamic acid. (2011, April 21). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 18:12, June 12, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title= ______________________ Healing Herbs Herbal Teas Herbal Tinctures Solar Home & RV Systems Solar Landscape Lighting Wind Energy Systems Solar Water Heating Systems Solar Pool & Spa Heaters Hydro Power Solar Water Pumps Solar Panels Shop By Brand Shop Alphabetically Amino Acids Aromatherapy Books/eBooks _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ See references for complete information including notes, comments, complete symptoms, sources, concerns and cautions. _______________________ Disclaimer : In accordance with FDA regulation, we do not make any therapeutic claims for any Dietary Supplements in accordance with the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act. Information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physicians, health care professional or other professional. You should not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any health problem, symptom or disease, prescribing any medication or other treatment, or in place of any other professional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any diseases. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem. Your discretion is advised. Copyright © 2007
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