Chapter 10: Mechanism of Manganese-Induced Impairment of Astrocytic Glutamate Transporters

Manganese (Mn) is an essential trace element, playing a vital role in numerous biochemical and cellular reactions; however, chronic exposure to high Mn levels from environmental and occupational sources causes a neurological disorder with shared features of Parkinson's disease (PD), referred to as manganism. Despite well-established pathological signs, the molecular mechanism(s) by which Mn induces these neurological disorders still remain to be established. In addition to oxidative stress and impairment of mitochondria, Mn dysregulates astrocytic glutamate transporters (GLAST [glutamate aspartate transporter] and GLT-1 [glutamate transporter 1]) by decreasing their promoter activity, mRNA, and protein levels as well as astrocytic glutamate uptake. The Mn-induced impairment in glutamate transporters is directly associated with excitotoxic neuronal death because the astrocytic glutamate transporters, GLAST and GLT-1, are mainly responsible for maintaining optimal glutamate levels in the synaptic clefts, thereby preventing glutamate-induced neuronal excitotoxicity. It is widely recognized that reduced expression and function of astrocytic glutamate transporters, in particular GLT-1, are associated with various neurodegenerative diseases, including PD and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Therefore, Mn-induced impairment of astrocytic glutamate transporters might be a critical mechanism for Mn neurotoxicity. Our latest studies have uncovered a novel mechanism of Mn-induced repression of GLT-1 at the transcriptional level. It appears that the transcription factor yin yang 1 (YY1) plays a critical role in Mn-induced repression of GLT-1 promoter activity and expression. Herein, we will discuss the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which Mn induces neurotoxicity, such as oxidative stress, mitochondrial impairment, inflammation, and dysregulation of glutamate transporters.