Vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs) allow accumulation of glutamate into synaptic vesicles, as well as secretory vesicles in endocrine tissues. The roles of VGLUTs in kidney and liver are unclear. These transporters appear to utilize the proton gradient and also express a chloride conductance [1].

Endogenous ketoacids produced during fasting have been proposed to regulate VGLUT function through blocking chloride ion-mediated allosteric enhancement of transporter function [2].

1. Bellocchio EE, Reimer RJ, Fremeau RT, Edwards RH. (2000) Uptake of glutamate into synaptic vesicles by an inorganic phosphate transporter. Science, 289 (5481): 957-60. [PMID:10938000]

2. Juge N, Gray JA, Omote H, Miyaji T, Inoue T, Hara C, Uneyama H, Edwards RH, Nicoll RA, Moriyama Y. (2010) Metabolic control of vesicular glutamate transport and release. Neuron, 68 (1): 99-112. [PMID:20920794]