Glucocorticoid Regulation of GLT-1 Glutamate Transporter Isoform Expression in the Rat Hippocampus

BACKGROUND: In the rat hippocampus, the predominate glutamate transporters are GLT-1 and its recently identified isoform, GLT-1b. Chronic restraint stress increases GLT-1b expression throughout the hippocampus while more selectively increasing GLT-1 expression in the CA3 region. These studies suggest that GLT-1b expression is regulated by stress levels of glucocorticoids (GCs) and GLT-1 expression is regulated by stress-induced increases in extracellular glutamate levels in the CA3 region. METHODS: In order to differentiate between the actions of GCs and glutamate, we examined GLT-1 isoform expression in adrenalectomized (ADX) rats and rats exposed to stress levels of GCs. RESULTS: ADX rats revealed no significant differences in GLT-1b mRNA or protein levels compared to sham-operated controls or ADX rats given GC replacement. However, rats exposed to stress levels of GCs exhibited increases in GLT-1b protein expression in the CA3 region and the dentate gyrus. GLT-1 mRNA expression was increased by ADX, increases that were inhibited by GC replacement. Similarly, stress levels of GCs increased GLT-1 protein expression throughout the hippocampus. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these data indicate that GLT-1b protein expression is regulated by stress levels of GCs while the regulation of GLT-1 mRNA and protein expression provides another example of the biphasic actions of GCs in the central nervous system.