Histological analysis of SLC38A6 (SNAT6) expression in mouse brain shows selective expression in excitatory neurons with high expression in the synapses

Sonchita Bagchi; Hajar Ali Baomar; Somar Al-Walai; Saifaddin Al-Sadi; Robert Fredriksson

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0095438

Histological analysis of SLC38A6 (SNAT6) expression in mouse brain shows selective expression in excitatory neurons with high expression in the synapses

PLoS One. 2014 Apr 21;9(4):e95438. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0095438. eCollection 2014.

Authors

Sonchita Bagchi¹, Hajar Ali Baomar¹, Somar Al-Walai¹, Saifaddin Al-Sadi¹, Robert Fredriksson¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Neuroscience, Functional Pharmacology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.

Abstract

SLC38A6 is one of the newly found members of the solute carrier 38 family consisting of total 11 members, of which only 6 have been characterized so far. Being the only glutamine transporter family expressed in the brain, this family of proteins are most probably involved in the regulation of the glutamate-glutamine cycle, responsible for preventing excitotoxicity. We used immunohistochemistry to show that SLC38A6 is primarily expressed in excitatory neurons and is not expressed in the astrocytes. Using proximity ligation assay, we have quantified the interactions of this SLC38 family protein with other proteins with known localization in the cells, showing that this transporter is expressed at the synapses. Moreover, this study has enabled us to come up with a model suggesting sub-cellular localization of SLC38A6 at the synaptic membrane of the excitatory neurons.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Amino Acid Transport Systems, Neutral / metabolism*
Animals
Biomarkers / metabolism
Brain / metabolism*
Cell Membrane / metabolism
Cells, Cultured
Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional
Embryo, Mammalian / cytology
Embryo, Mammalian / metabolism
Female
Immunohistochemistry
Male
Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Microscopy, Fluorescence
Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
Neuroglia / metabolism
Neurons / metabolism*
Paraffin Embedding
Protein Interaction Mapping
Secretory Vesicles / metabolism
Synapses / metabolism*

Substances

Amino Acid Transport Systems, Neutral
Biomarkers
Membrane Proteins
Nerve Tissue Proteins
SNAT6 protein, mouse

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the Swedish Research Council, The Swedish Society for Medical Research, The Novo Nordisk foundation, Åhlens foundation, Engkvist Foundation, Thurings Foundation for metabolic research, Gunvor and Josef Anérs foundation. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.