Glutamate uptake by astrocytes is fundamentally important in the regulation of CNS function. Disruption of uptake can lead to excitotoxicity and is implicated in various neurodegenerative processes as well as a consequence of hypoxic/ischemic events. Here, we investigate the effect of
hypoxia on activity and expression of the key
glutamate transporters
excitatory amino acid transporter 1 (EAAT1) [GLAST (
glutamate-aspartate transporter)] and EAAT2 [GLT-1 (
glutamate transporter 1)]. Electrogenic, Na+-dependent
glutamate uptake was monitored via whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from cortical astrocytes. Under hypoxic conditions (2.5 and 1% O2 exposure for 24 h),
glutamate uptake was significantly reduced, and pharmacological separation of uptake transporter subtypes suggested that the EAAT2 subtype was preferentially reduced relative to the EAAT1. This suppression was confirmed at the level of EAAT
protein expression (via Western blots) and
mRNA levels (via real-time PCR). These effects of
hypoxia to inhibit
glutamate uptake current and EAAT
protein levels were not replicated by
desferrioxamine,
cobalt,
FG0041, or FG4496, agents known to mimic effects of
hypoxia mediated via the transcriptional regulator,
hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). Furthermore, the effects of
hypoxia were not prevented by
topotecan, which prevents HIF accumulation. In stark contrast, inhibition of
nuclear factor-kappaB (
NF-kappaB) with SN50 fully prevented the effects of
hypoxia on
glutamate uptake and EAAT expression. Our results indicate that prolonged
hypoxia can suppress
glutamate uptake in astrocytes and that this effect requires activation of
NF-kappaB but not of HIF. Suppression of
glutamate uptake via this mechanism may be an important contributory factor in hypoxic/ischemic triggered
glutamate excitotoxicity.