The EAAT family includes five members (EAAT1-EAAT5) that are members of the solute carrier family 1 (SLC1) of sodium-dependent transporters that also includes the neutral amino acid transporters ASCT1 and ASCT2.The transport of Glu into the cells by the EAAT transporters is coupled to the Na+ and K+ electrochemical gradient as a driving force. Hence, the uptake of Glu is dependent on the co-transport of three Na+ and one H+ ions, and the counter transport of one K+ ion. EAAT1 as well as EAAT2, is expressed predominantly in glia cells (hence its original name: glial glutamate transporter or GLAST), while EAAT3, EAAT4 and EAAT5 are mostly expressed in neurons.
