Glutaminases in brain: Multiple isoforms for many purposes

摘要: Glutaminase is expressed in most mammalian tissues and cancer cells, but recent studies are now revealing a considerably degree of complexity its pattern expression functional regulation. Novel transcript variants the glutaminase Gls2 gene have been recently found characterized brain. Co-expression different isoforms same cell type would allow cells to fine-tune their Gln/Glu levels under wide range metabolic states. Moreover, discovery protein interacting partners novel subcellular localizations, for example nucleocytoplasmic neurons astrocytes, strongly suggest non-neurotransmission roles associated with transcriptional regulation cellular differentiation. Of note, Gls considered as an important trophic factor neuronal differentiation postnatal development brain regions. On other hand, glutaminases taking center stage tumor biology new therapeutic targets inhibit reprogramming cells. Interestingly, isoenzymes play seemingly opposing growth proliferation; this issue will be also succinctly discussed special emphasis on tumors.