Characterization of novel L-threo-beta-benzyloxyaspartate derivatives, potent blockers of the glutamate transporters

Nontransportable blockers of the glutamate transporters are important tools for investigating mechanisms of synaptic transmission. DL-threo-beta-Benzyloxyaspartate (DL-TBOA) is a potent blocker of all subtypes of the excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs). We characterized novel L-TBOA analogs possessing a substituent on their respective benzene rings. The analogs significantly inhibited labeled glutamate uptake, the most potent of which was (2S,3S)-3-[3-[4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoylamino]benzyloxy]aspartate (TFB-TBOA). In an uptake assay using cells transiently expressing EAATs, the IC(50) values of TFB-TBOA for EAAT1, EAAT2, and EAAT3 were 22, 17, and 300 nM, respectively. TFB-TBOA was significantly more potent at inhibiting EAAT1 and EAAT2 compared with L-TBOA (IC(50) values for EAAT1-3 were 33, 6.2, and 15 microM, respectively). Electrophysiological analyses revealed that TBOA analogs block the transport-associated currents in all five EAAT subtypes and also block leak currents in EAAT5. The rank order of the analogs for potencies at inhibiting substrate-induced currents was identical to that observed in the uptake assay. However, the kinetics of TFBTBOA differed from the kinetics of L-TBOA, probably because of the strong binding affinity. Notably, TFB-TBOA did not affect other representative neurotransmitter transporters or receptors, including ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors, indicating that it is highly selective for EAATs. Moreover, intracerebroventricular administration of the TBOA analogs induced severe convulsive behaviors in mice, probably because of the accumulation of glutamate. Taken together, these findings indicate that novel TBOA analogs, especially TFB-TBOA, should serve as useful tools for elucidating the physiological roles of the glutamate transporters.     

Dissociation of [3H]L-glutamate uptake from L-glutamate-induced [3H]D-aspartate release by 3-hydroxy-4,5,6,6a-tetrahydro-3aH-pyrrolo[3,4-d]isoxazole-4-carboxylic acid and 3-hydroxy-4,5,6,6a-tetrahydro-3aH-pyrrolo[3,4-d]isoxazole-6-carboxylic acid, two conformationally constrained aspartate and glutamate analogs

We characterized the interaction of two conformationally constrained aspartate and glutamate analogs, 3-hydroxy-4,5,6,6a-tetrahydro-3aH-pyrrolo[3,4-d]isoxazole-4-carboxylic acid (HIP-A) and 3-hydroxy-4,5,6,6a-tetrahydro-3aH-pyrrolo[3,4-d]isoxazole-6-carboxylic acid (HIP-B), with excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) in rat brain cortex synaptosomes. HIP-A and HIP-B were potent and noncompetitive inhibitors of [(3)H]L-glutamate uptake, with IC(50) values (17-18 microM) very similar to that of the potent EAAT inhibitor dl-threo-beta-benzyloxyaspartic acid (TBOA). The two compounds had little effect in inducing [(3)H]D-aspartate release from superfused synaptosomes but they potently inhibited l-glutamate-induced [(3)H]D-aspartate release, thus behaving as EAAT blockers, not substrates, in a manner similar to those of TBOA and dihydrokainate (DHK). HIP-A and HIP-B, but not TBOA and DHK, unexpectedly inhibited L-glutamate-induced [(3)H]D-aspartate release with IC(50) values (1.2-1.6 microM) 10 times lower than those required to inhibit [(3)H]L-glutamate uptake. There is therefore a concentration window (1-3 microM) in which the two compounds significantly inhibited l-glutamate-induced release with very little effect on L-glutamate uptake. This selective inhibitory effect required quite long preincubation (>5 min) of synaptosomes with the drugs. At these low concentrations, however, HIP-A and HIP-B had no effect on the EAAT-mediated [(3)H]d-aspartate release induced by altering the ion gradients, indicating that they specifically affect some L-glutamate-triggered process(es)--different from L-glutamate translocation itself--responsible for the induction of reverse transport. These data are inconsistent with the classic model of facilitated exchange-diffusion and provide the first evidence that EAAT-mediated substrate uptake and substrate-induced EAAT-mediated reverse transport are independent. Compounds such as HIP-A and HIP-B could be useful to further clarify the mechanisms underlying these operating modes of transporters.     

Pharmacological characterization of human excitatory amino acid transporters EAAT1, EAAT2 and EAAT3 in a fluorescence-based membrane potential assay

We have expressed the human excitatory amino acid transporters EAAT1, EAAT2 and EAAT3 stably in HEK293 cells and characterized the transporters pharmacologically in a conventional [(3) H]-d-aspartate uptake assay and in a fluorescence-based membrane potential assay, the FLIPR Membrane Potential (FMP) assay. The K(m) and K(i) values obtained for 12 standard EAAT ligands at EAAT1, EAAT2 and EAAT3 in the FMP assay correlated well with the K(i) values obtained in the [(3) H]-d-aspartate assay (r(2) values of 0.92, 0.92, and 0.95, respectively). Furthermore, the pharmacological characteristics of the cell lines in the FMP assay were in good agreement with previous findings in electrophysiology studies of the transporters. The FMP assay was capable of distinguishing between substrates and non-substrate inhibitors and to discriminate between "full" and "partial" substrates at the transporters. Taking advantage of the prolific nature of the FMP assay, interactions of the EAATs with substrates and inhibitors were studied in some detail. This is the first report of a high throughput screening assay for EAATs. We propose that the assay will be of great use in future studies of the transporters. Although conventional electrophysiology set-ups might be superior in terms of studying sophisticated kinetic aspects of the uptake process, the FMP assay enables the collection of considerable amounts of highly reproducible data with relatively little labor. Furthermore, considering that the number of EAAT ligands presently available is limited, and that almost all of these are characterized by low potency and a low degree of subtype selectivity, future screening of compound libraries at the EAAT-cell lines in the FMP assay could help identify structurally and pharmacologically novel ligands for the transporters.     

Pharmacology of excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs and VGLUTs)

L-Glutamate is a major excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). It contributes not only to fast synaptic neurotransmission but also to complex physiological processes like plasticity, learning, and memory. Glutamate is synthesized in the cytoplasm and stored in synaptic vesicles by a proton gradient-dependent uptake system (VGLUTs). Following its exocytotic release, glutamate activates different kinds of glutamate receptors and mediates excitatory neurotransmission. To terminate the action of glutamate and maintain its extracellular concentration below excitotoxic levels, glutamate is quickly removed by Na(+)-dependent glutamate transporters (EAATs). Recently, three vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUT1-3) and five Na(+)-dependent glutamate transporters (EAAT1-5) were identified. VGLUTs and EAATs are thought to play important roles in neuronal disorders, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, cerebral ischemia, and Huntington's disease. In this review, the development of new compounds to regulate the function of VGLUTs and EAATs will be described.     

Differentiation of substrate and nonsubstrate inhibitors of the high-affinity, sodium-dependent glutamate transporters

Within the mammalian central nervous system, the efficient removal of L-glutamate from the extracellular space by excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) has been postulated to contribute to signal termination, the recycling of transmitter, and the maintenance of L-glutamate at concentrations below those that are excitotoxic. The development of potent and selective inhibitors of the EAATs has contributed greatly to the understanding of the functional roles of these transporters. In the present study, we use a library of conformationally constrained glutamate analogs to address two key issues: the differentiation of substrates from nontransportable inhibitors and the comparison of the pharmacological profile of synaptosomal uptake with those of the individual EAAT clones. We demonstrate that the process of transporter-mediated heteroexchange can be exploited in synaptosomes to rapidly distinguish transportable from nontransportable inhibitors. Using this approach, we demonstrate that 2,4-methanopyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylate, cis-1-aminocyclobutane-1,3-dicarboxylate, and L-trans-2, 4-pyrrolidine dicarboxylate act as substrates for the rat forebrain synaptosomal glutamate uptake system. In contrast, L-anti-endo-3, 4-methanopyrrolidine-3,4-dicarboxylate, L-trans-2,3-pyrrolidine dicarboxylate, and dihydrokainate proved to be competitive inhibitors of D-[(3)H]aspartate uptake that exhibited little or no activity as substrates. When these same compounds were characterized for substrate activity by recording currents in voltage-clamped Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing the human transporter clones EAAT1, EAAT2, or EAAT3, it was found that the pharmacological profile of the synaptosomal system exhibited the greatest similarity with the EAAT2 subtype, a transporter believed to be expressed primarily on glial cells.     

Expression of GFP-tagged neuronal glutamate transporters in cerebellar Purkinje neurons

Of the five excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) identified, two genes are expressed by neurons (EAAT3 and EAAT4) and give rise to transporters confined to neuronal cell bodies and dendrites. At an ultrastructural level, EAAT3 and EAAT4 proteins are clustered at the edges of postsynaptic densities of excitatory synapses. This pattern of localization suggests that postsynaptic EAATs may help to limit spillover of glutamate from excitatory synapses. In an effort to study transporter localization in living neurons and ultimately to manipulate uptake at intact synapses, we have developed viral reagents encoding neuronal EAATs tagged with GFP. We demonstrate that these fusion proteins are capable of Na(+)-dependent glutamate uptake, that they generate ionic conductances indistinguishable from their wild-type counterparts, and that GFP does not alter their glutamate dose-dependence. Two-photon microscopy was used to examine fusion protein expression in Purkinje neurons in acute cerebellar slices. Both EAAT3-GFP and EAAT4-GFP were observed at high levels in the dendritic spines of transfected Purkinje neurons. These findings indicate that functional EAAT fusion proteins can be synthesized and appropriately trafficked to postsynaptic compartments. Furthermore, they validate a powerful system for looking at EAAT function in situ.     

Ligands targeting the excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs)

This review provides an overview of ligands for the excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs), a family of high-affinity glutamate transporters localized to the plasma membrane of neurons and astroglial cells. Ligand development from the perspective of identifying novel and more selective tools for elucidating transporter subtype function, and the potential of transporter ligands in a therapeutic setting are discussed. Acute pharmacological modulation of EAAT activity in the form of linear and conformationally restricted glutamate and aspartate analogs is presented, in addition to recent strategies aimed more toward modulating transporter expression levels, the latter of particular significance to the development of transporter based therapeutics.     

Substrate-induced modulation of glutamate uptake in human platelets

In the central nervous system (CNS), glutamate rapidly upregulates the activities of different excitatory amino-acid transporter subtypes (EAATs) in order to help protect neurons from excitotoxicity. Since human platelets display a specific sodium-dependent glutamate uptake activity, and express the three major glutamate transporters, which may be affected in neurological disorders, we investigated whether platelets are subject to substrate-induced modulation as described for CNS. A time- and dose-dependent upregulation of [3H]-glutamate uptake (up to two-fold) was observed in platelets preincubated with glutamate. There was an increase in maximal velocity rate without affinity changes. Glutamate receptor agonists and antagonists did not modulate this upregulation and preincubation with glutamate analogues failed to mimic the glutamate effect. Only aspartate preincubation increased the uptake, albeit approximately 35% less with respect to glutamate. The effect of glutamate preincubation on the expression of the three major transporters was studied by Western blotting, showing an increase of approximately 70% in EAAT1 immunoreactivity that was completely blocked by cycloheximide (CEM). However, L-serine-O-sulphate, at a concentration (200 microM) known to block EAAT1/3 selectively, did not completely inhibit the effect of glutamate stimulation, indicating the possible involvement of EAAT2. In fact, glutamate stimulation was completely abolished only when, following CEM pre-incubation, the experiment was run in the presence of the selective EAAT2 inhibitor dihydrokainic acid. Since surface biotinylation experiments failed to show evidence of EAAT2 translocation, our results suggest the existence of a different way of regulating EAAT2 activity. These findings indicate that human platelets display a substrate-dependent modulation of glutamate uptake mediated by different molecular mechanisms and confirm that ex vivo platelets are a reliable model to investigate the dysfunction of glutamate uptake regulation in patients affected by neurological disorders.     

WAY-855 (3-amino-tricyclo[2.2.1.02.6]heptane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid): a novel, EAAT2-preferring, nonsubstrate inhibitor of high-affinity glutamate uptake

The pharmacological profile of a novel glutamate transport inhibitor, WAY-855 (3-amino-tricyclo[2.2.1.0(2.6)]heptane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid), on the activity of the human forebrain glutamate transporters EAAT1, EAAT2 and EAAT3 expressed in stable mammalian cell lines and in Xenopus laevis oocytes is presented. WAY-855 inhibited glutamate uptake mediated by all three subtypes in a concentration-dependent manner, with preferential inhibition of the CNS-predominant EAAT2 subtype in both cells and oocytes. IC50 values for EAAT2 and EAAT3 inhibition in cells were 2.2 and 24.5 microM, respectively, while EAAT1 activity was inhibited by 50% at 100 microM (IC50 values determined in oocytes were 1.3 microM (EAAT2), 52.5 microM (EAAT3) and 125.9 microM (EAAT1)). Application of WAY-855 to EAAT-expressing oocytes failed to induce a transporter current, and the compound failed to exchange with accumulated [3H]d-aspartate in synaptosomes consistent with a nonsubstrate inhibitor. WAY-855 inhibited d-aspartate uptake into cortical synaptosomes by a competitive mechanism, and with similar potency to that observed for the cloned EAAT2. WAY-855 failed to agonise or antagonise ionotropic glutamate receptors in cultured hippocampal neurones, or the human metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 4 expressed in a stable cell line. WAY-855 represents a novel structure in glutamate transporter pharmacology, and exploration of this structure might provide insights into the discrimination between EAAT2 and other EAAT subtypes.     

The substituted aspartate analogue L-beta-threo-benzyl-aspartate preferentially inhibits the neuronal excitatory amino acid transporter EAAT3

The excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) play key roles in the regulation of CNS L-glutamate, especially related to synthesis, signal termination, synaptic spillover, and excitotoxic protection. Inhibitors available to delineate EAAT pharmacology and function are essentially limited to those that non-selectively block all EAATs or those that exhibit a substantial preference for EAAT2. Thus, it is difficult to selectively study the other subtypes, particularly EAAT1 and EAAT3. Structure activity studies on a series of beta-substituted aspartate analogues identify L-beta-benzyl-aspartate (L-beta-BA) as among the first blockers that potently and preferentially inhibits the neuronal EAAT3 subtype. Kinetic analysis of D-[(3)H]aspartate uptake into C17.2 cells expressing the hEAATs demonstrate that L-beta-threo-BA is the more potent diastereomer, acts competitively, and exhibits a 10-fold preference for EAAT3 compared to EAAT1 and EAAT2. Electrophysiological recordings of EAAT-mediated currents in Xenopus oocytes identify L-beta-BA as a non-substrate inhibitor. Analyzing L-beta-threo-BA within the context of a novel EAAT2 pharmacophore model suggests: (1) a highly conserved positioning of the electrostatic carboxyl and amino groups; (2) nearby regions that accommodate select structural modifications (cyclopropyl rings, methyl groups, oxygen atoms); and (3) a unique region L-beta-threo-BA occupied by the benzyl moieties of L-TBOA, L-beta-threo-BA and related analogues. It is plausible that the preference of L-beta-threo-BA and L-TBOA for EAAT3 and EAAT2, respectively, could reside in the latter two pharmacophore regions.     

Glutamate-based therapeutic approaches: targeting the glutamate transport system

Although the ionotropic and metabotropic receptors for synaptically released glutamate have been extensively mined in the pursuit of novel therapeutic agents for a diverse array of central nervous system disorders, pursuit of the transport proteins--or excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs)--toward a similar end has been a road much less travelled. Recent progress has seen the use of cloned EAAT subtypes to develop transporter inhibitors with improved subtype selectivity, providing important tools for elucidating the precise contribution of each transporter subtype to the regulation of extracellular glutamate homeostasis. In addition, momentum has been gained with the discovery of compounds capable of upregulating the activity of the predominant forebrain glutamate transporter, EAAT2.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of a series of 4-substituted glutamate analogues and pharmacological characterization at human glutamate transporters subtypes 1-3

A series of nine L-2,4-syn-4-alkylglutamic acid analogues (1a-i) were synthesized in high yield and high enantiomeric excess (>99% ee) from their corresponding 4-substituted ketoglutaric acids (2a-i), using the enzyme aspartate aminotransferase (AAT) from pig heart or E. coli. The synthesized compounds were evaluated as potential ligands for the glutamate transporters EAAT1, EAAT2, and EAAT3 (excitatory amino acid transporter, subtypes 1-3) in the FLIPR membrane potential (FMP) assay. We found a distinct change in the pharmacological profile when the 4-methyl group (compound 1a, an EAAT1 substrate and EAAT2,3 inhibitor) was extended to a 4-ethyl group, compound 1b, as this analogue is an inhibitor at all three subtypes, EAAT1-3. Furthermore, we conclude that both large and bulky hydrophobic substituents in the 4-position of L-2,4-syn Glu are allowed by all three glutamate transporter subtypes EAAT1-3 while maintaining inhibitory activity.     

Bromocriptine, an ergot alkaloid, inhibits excitatory amino acid release mediated by glutamate transporter reversal

Bromocriptine, a dopamine D₂ receptor agonist, has widely been used for patients with Parkinson's disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of bromocriptine on glutamate transporter. Since the astroglial glutamate transporter GLT-1 (EAAT2) is the predominant isoform in the forebrain, we generated EAAT2-expressing human embryonic kidney cells and immortalized mouse astrocytes. In the present studies, we observed a GLT-1-immunoreactive band and significant Na⁺-dependent d-[³H] aspartate uptake. Furthermore, the glutamate transporter inhibitors, dl-threo-β-benzyloxyaspartic acid (TBOA) and dihydrokainate (DHK), displayed a dose-dependent reduction of d-[³H] aspartate uptake in both types of cells. In contrast, cells exposed to either chemical anoxia or high KCl elicited a marked release of d-[³H] aspartate, and the release was inhibited by TBOA and DHK, implying the contribution of glutamate transporter reversal. Interestingly, we found that bromocriptine dose-dependently inhibits d-[³H] aspartate release elicited by chemical anoxia or high KCl, while no changes occurred in the uptake. The inhibitory action of bromocriptine was not affected by sulpiride, a dopamine D₂ receptor antagonist. On the other hand, bromocriptine had no effect on swelling-induced d-[³H] aspartate release, which is mediated by volume-regulated anion channels. In vivo studies revealed that bromocriptine suppresses the excessive elevation of glutamate levels in gerbils subjected to transient forebrain ischemia in a manner similar to DHK. Taken together, these results provide evidence that bromocriptine inhibits excitatory amino acid release via reversed operation of GLT-1 without altering forward transport.     

Chemo-enzymatic synthesis of (2S,4R)-2-amino-4-(3-(2,2-diphenylethylamino)-3-oxopropyl)pentanedioic acid: a novel selective inhibitor of human excitatory amino acid transporter subtype 2

In the mammalian central nervous system (CNS), the action of sodium dependent excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) is responsible for termination of glutamatergic neurotransmission by reuptake of ( S) -glutamate (Glu) from the synaptic cleft. Five EAAT subtypes have been identified, of which EAAT1-4 are present in the CNS, while EAAT5 is localized exclusively in the retina. In this study, we have used an enantioselective chemo-enzymatic strategy to synthesize 10 new Glu analogues 2a- k ( 2d is exempt) with different functionalities in the 4 R-position and characterized their pharmacological properties at the human EAAT1-3. In particular, one compound, 2k, displayed a significant preference as inhibitor of the EAAT2 subtype over EAAT1,3. The compound also displayed very low affinities toward ionotropic and metabotropic Glu receptors, making it the most selective EAAT2 inhibitor described so far.     

Transporters for L-glutamate: an update on their molecular pharmacology and pathological involvement

L-Glutamate (Glu) is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian CNS and five types of high-affinity Glu transporters (EAAT1-5) have been identified. The transporters EAAT1 and EAAT2 in glial cells are responsible for the majority of Glu uptake while neuronal EAATs appear to have specialized roles at particular types of synapses. Dysfunction of EAATs is specifically implicated in the pathology of neurodegenerative conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, epilepsy, Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease and ischemic stroke injury, and thus treatments that can modulate EAAT function may prove beneficial in these conditions. Recent advances have been made in our understanding of the regulation of EAATs, including their trafficking, splicing and post-translational modification. This article summarises some recent developments that improve our understanding of the roles and regulation of EAATs.     

Inhibitor of the glutamate vesicular transporter (VGLUT)

The vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT) is responsible for the uptake of the excitatory amino acid, L-glutamate, into synaptic vesicles. VGLUT activity is coupled to an electrochemical gradient driven by a vacuolar ATPase and stimulated by low Cl-. VGLUT has relatively low affinity (K(m) = 1-3 mM) for glutamate and is pharmacologically and structurally distinct from the Na+-dependent, excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) found on the plasma membrane. Because glutamatergic neurotransmission begins with vesicular release, compounds that block the uptake of glutamate into the vesicle may reduce excitotoxic events. Several classes of competitive VGLUT inhibitors have emerged including amino acids and amino acid analogs, fatty acids, azo dyes, quinolines and alkaloids. The potency with which these agents inhibit VGLUT varies from millimolar (amino acids) to nanomolar (azo dyes) concentrations. These inhibitors represent highly diverse structures and have collectively begun to reveal key pharmacophore elements that may elucidate the key interactions important to binding VGLUT. Using known inhibitor structures and preliminary molecular modeling, a VGLUT pharmacophore is presented that will aid in the design of new, highly potent and selective agents.     

Excitatory amino acid transporters as potential drug targets

Background: Excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) are transmembrane proteins responsible for the uptake of (S)-glutamate (Glu) from the synaptic cleft, thereby terminating the glutamatergic neurotransmitter signal. Today five subtypes have been identified. Except for EAAT2, their individual roles or functions in the CNS are yet to be fully understood due to the shortage of subtype-selective ligands. Objective/methods: We examine the latest developments in this field by addressing EAAT expression pattern, localization and pharmacology. We present highlights of published work on inhibitors as well as enhancers which display subtype preference or selectivity and discuss which pathological conditions in the CNS such ligands may be beneficial to. Results/conclusions: Not until subtype-selective enhancers, inhibitors and substrates for all five EAAT subtypes have been discovered can a full and detailed understanding of EAATs be obtained. Thus we encourage collaboration between organic chemists and molecular pharmacologists, who, together, may pave the way for new EAAT ligands of importance.     

Pharmacological manipulation of glutamate transport

L-Glutamic acid acts as the major excitatory neurotransmitter and, at the same time, represents a potential neurotoxin for the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). The termination of excitatory transmission and the maintenance of physiologic levels of extracellular glutamate, which is necessary to prevent excitotoxicity, are prominently mediated by a family of high-affinity sodium-dependent excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs). Five subtypes of EAATs have been cloned, possessing distinct pharmacology, localization, sensitivity to transport inhibitors and modulatory mechanisms. Expression and activity of EAATs have been shown to be amenable to fine endogenous and, potentially, pharmacological regulation by substrate itself, growth factors, second messengers, hormones, biological oxidants, inflammatory mediators and pathological conditions. The present review describes basic pharmacological studies, mostly performed on animal models or cell preparations, in order to obtain an updated picture of the known regulatory mechanisms of single EAAT expression and activity. New insight into molecular pathways involved in EAAT regulation will allow pharmacological manipulation of excitatory CNS activity, possibly avoiding adverse effects of glutamate receptor blockade.     

Stereoselective chemoenzymatic synthesis of the four stereoisomers of l-2-(2-carboxycyclobutyl)glycine and pharmacological characterization at human excitatory amino acid transporter subtypes 1, 2, and 3

The four stereoisomers of l-2-(2-carboxycyclobutyl)glycine, l-CBG-I, l-CBG-II, l-CBG-III, and l-CBG-IV, were synthesized in good yield and high enantiomeric excess, from the corresponding cis and trans-2-oxalylcyclobutanecarboxylic acids 5 and 6 using the enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AAT) and branched chain aminotransferase (BCAT) from Escherichia coli. The four stereoisomeric compounds were evaluated as potential ligands for the human excitatory amino acid transporters, subtypes 1, 2, and 3 (EAAT1, EAAT2, and EAAT3) in the FLIPR membrane potential assay. While the one trans-stereoisomer, l-CBG-I, displayed weak substrate activity at all three transporters, EAAT1-3, we found a particular pharmacological profile for the other trans-stereoisomer, l-CBG-II, which displayed EAAT1 substrate activity and inhibitory activity at EAAT2 and EAAT3. Whereas l-CBG-III was found to be a weak inhibitor at all three EAAT subtypes, the other cis-stereoisomer l-CBG-IV was a moderately potent inhibitor with 20-30-fold preference for EAAT2/3 over EAAT1.