Astrocytes and neurons communicate via a monocarboxylic acid shuttle.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review and mechanistic theoretical model without primary human data
PubMed 32607414 · doi:10.3934/Neuroscience.2020007
What was done
The authors conducted a narrative review synthesizing published experimental data regarding proton-linked monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) and associated proton-donor complexes to refine and extend the Astrocyte-Neuron Lactate Shuttle (ANLS) hypothesis.
What was found
The abstract reports no quantitative measurements or empirical statistical results. The authors formulate a theoretical model proposing that astrocytic MCT4–phosphoglycerate kinase complexes drive monocarboxylate export while co-existing astrocytic MCT1–carbonic anhydrase II complexes drive import. They further postulate that neuronal MCT2 preferentially imports pyruvic acid, and that alterations in the imported pyruvic acid to L-lactic acid ratio signal and stabilize glucose transit from astrocytes to neurons.
Why it matters
This review proposes a mechanistic framework incorporating specific transporter-enzyme complexes to help reconcile ongoing debates surrounding metabolic trafficking between astrocytes and neurons.
Limits
The paper is a conceptual narrative synthesis rather than a systematic review or primary experimental study. It provides no empirical dataset or statistical testing, and the proposed transporter complex interactions and signaling mechanisms remain theoretical hypotheses requiring empirical verification.
Cited by
- supports Astrocytes in the brain are predominantly glycolytic and produce lactate that is taken up by neurons via MCT transporters for energy.