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  • Title: Cellular distribution of D-serine, serine racemase and D-amino acid oxidase in the rat vestibular sensory epithelia.
    Author: Dememes D, Mothet JP, Nicolas MT.
    Journal: Neuroscience; 2006 Feb; 137(3):991-7. PubMed ID: 16289842.
    Abstract:
    Glutamate is the main neurotransmitter at the synapses between sensory cells and primary afferents in the peripheral vestibular system. Evidence has recently been obtained demonstrating that the atypical amino acid D-serine is the main endogenous co-agonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in the CNS. We studied the distribution of D-serine and its synthesizing and degrading enzymes, serine racemase and d-amino acid oxidase in the rat vestibular sensory epithelium using immunocytochemistry. D-serine, serine racemase and D-amino acid oxidase were localized in the transitional cells, which are parasensory cells located between the sensory epithelium and the dark cells. The dark cells expressed only serine racemase. D-Serine was also detected in the supporting cells of the sensory epithelium. These cells, which are in close contact with glutamatergic synapses, express GLAST, a glial specific transporter for glutamate. They may have similar functions to glial cells in the CNS and thus expression of D-serine suggests a neuromodulator role for D-serine at the glutamatergic synapses in the peripheral vestibular system. Our data also indicate that the metabolism of D-serine is not restricted to glial cells suggesting that the amino acid may play an additional role in the peripheral nervous system.
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