Lessons from the knocked-out glycine transporters

Glycine has multiple neurotransmitter functions in the central nervous system (CNS). In the spinal cord and brainstem of vertebrates, it serves as a major inhibitory neurotransmitter. In addition, it participates in excitatory neurotransmission by modulating the activity of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) subtype of glutamate receptors. The extracellular concentrations of glycine are regulated by Na+/Cl(-)-dependent glycine transporters (GlyTs), which are expressed in neurons and adjacent glial cells. Considerable progress has been made recently towards elucidating the in vivo roles of GlyTs in the CNS. The generation and analysis of animals carrying targeted disruptions of GlyT genes (GlyT knockout mice) have allowed investigators to examine the different contributions of individual GlyT subtypes to synaptic transmission. In addition, they have provided animal models for two hereditary human diseases, glycine encephalopathy and hyperekplexia. Selective GlyT inhibitors have been shown to modulate neurotransmission and might constitute promising therapeutic tools for the treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders such as schizophrenia and pain. Therefore, pharmacological and genetic studies indicate that GlyTs are key regulators of both glycinergic inhibitory and glutamatergic excitatory neurotransmission. This chapter describes our present understanding of the functions of GlyTs and their involvement in the fine-tuning of neuronal communication.