Exploration of the Role of Glutamate in Stroke

Glutamate (Glu) is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and is functionally involved in almost all activities of the nervous system and is particularly important for learning, memory, and behavior. However, unlike other neurotransmitters, there are no extrasynaptic enzymes that degrade extracellular glutamate. Therefore, the homeostasis of extracellular glutamate concentration is maintained by rapid cellular uptake of the transporter protein. The exact mechanism of extracellular glutamate regulation is still unclear, leading to slow progress in the development of drugs targeting extracellular glutamate regulation. Therefore, Ace Therapeutics provides a one-stop research service platform to explore the regulatory activity of glutamate in the pathogenesis of stroke.

Fig. 1 Glutamate Excitotoxicity: Potential Therapeutic Target for Ischemic Stroke (Shen, et al., 2022)

Exploration of the Role of Glutamate Transporters in Stroke

Several studies using animal models of cerebral ischemia have shown that glutamate transporters, such as EAAC1, GLAST, and GLP-1, are involved in the regulation of glutamate and have a protective role in reducing [Glu]e levels, decreasing cell loss and infarct volume, and improving behavioral recovery. Accordingly, we offer a comprehensive service to explore the role played by glutamate transporters during stroke, including but not limited to,

• EAAC1 content assays
• GLAST content assays
• GLP-1 content assays
• Enzyme activity analysis
• Magnetic resonance spectroscopic analysis
• Neuronal activity assays
• Evaluation of brain damage

Exploration of the Role of Enzymes in Stroke

There are many enzymes in the body that regulate glutamate activity, such as glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamine synthetase (GS), glutamate dehydrogenase, and glutamate carboxypeptidase II (NAALADase). To address this feature, Ace Therapeutics established suitable animal models of stroke by gene knockout and antisense oligonucleotide techniques to investigate the role of these enzymes in the regulation of glutamate during the stroke. We also provide related testing services, including but not limited to

• GOT activity assays
• GS activity assays
• NAALADase activity assays
• Glutamate content assays
• Ion channel activity assays

In addition, the state of the ion pump, the process of glutamate synthesis, and other glutamate-regulatable proteins all play an important role in the regulation of glutamate during a stroke attack. Ace Therapeutics offers ELISA assays, fluorescent quantitative PCR assays, biochemical assays, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy to meet experimental needs, and we also offer personalized services such as custom antibodies and ELISA kits to accelerate your understanding of the role of glutamate in stroke pathology. If you would like to learn more about our services, please feel free to contact us.

1. Shen, Z., et al., Glutamate excitotoxicity: Potential therapeutic target for ischemic stroke. Biomed Pharmacother, 2022. 151: p. 113125.
2. Wang, Y.Harvey, B. K., Reducing excitoxicity with glutamate transporter-1 to treat stroke. Brain Circ, 2016. 2(3): p. 118-120.