Targeting glutamate metabolism in chronic lung diseases

Abstract

Amino acids are necessary for all life forms, which play various roles. Disorder of amino acid metabolism is now considered an important driving mechanism in diverse pulmonary conditions, particularly chronic lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer. Glutamate actively participates in multiple vital biological processes, while the intricate glutamate metabolism, glutamate receptors and glutamate transporters assume crucial regulatory functions in the development of chronic lung diseases. This review aims to discuss the relationship between glutamate dysfunction and chronic lung diseases. By discussing the physiological and pathological function of glutamate, we probe the potential drug targets for chronic lung diseases in the glutamate pathway.

Roles of glutamic pyruvate transaminase 2 in reprogramming of airway epithelial lipidomic and metabolomic profiles after smoking

“… 8 , 9 Glutamate metabolism pathways play important roles in the maintenance of pulmonary functions and the pathogenesis of chronic lung diseases. 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 Glutamic pyruvate transaminase (GPT, also named alanine aminotransferase) is responsible for the formation of α‐ketoglutaric acid (α‐KG) from glutamate, of which GPT1 is mostly located in the cytoplasm, whilst GPT2 mainly within the mitochondria. 14 , 15 The α‐KG is an important raw material for lipid synthesis.…”