Functional glutamate transporters are expressed in the carotid chemoreceptor.

Background: The carotid body (CB) plays a critical role in cyclic intermittent hypoxia (CIH)-induced chemosensitivity; however, the underlying mechanism remains uncertain. We have demonstrated the presence of multiple inotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) in CB, and that CIH exposure alters the level of some iGluRs in CB. This result implicates glutamatergic signaling in the CB response to hypoxia.

Characterization of Group I Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors in Rat and Human Adrenal Glands.

Glutamate and its receptors have been demonstrated to promote both basal and nicotine-evoked catecholamine release in bovine chromaffin cells. Multiple glutamate receptors, including metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), are found in the adrenal glands of several species, as well as in chromaffin cells. However, there is limited information available regarding the expression of glutamate metabotropic receptor mRNAs and the detailed localization of group I mGluRs (mGluR1 and mGluR5) in the rat and human adrenal cortex and medulla.

Expression of BACE1 in the Rat Carotid Body.

This study explored the expression of BACE1 (β-amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1) in the rat carotid body and the effect of CIH (cyclic intermittent hypoxia) on the expression of BACE1. We found that BACE1 was expressed in the rat carotid body and located in the nerve endings and type II cells but not in type I cells. CIH reduced BACE1 level in the carotid body, and reoxygenation or ROS scavenger alleviated this reduction.