Glutamine synthetase, also referred to as Glutamate-ammonia ligase or GS, is an enzyme that catalyzes the ATP-dependent condensation of glutamate with ammonia to yield glutamine. It is present predominantly in brain, kidneys, and liver. In the brain, it is particularly found in astrocytes.
Glutamine synthetase plays a pivotal role in glutamate and glutamine homoeostasis, and it is largely responsible for the removal of both blood-derived and metabolically generated ammonia, preventing neurotoxicity. It is also a key enzyme in the recycling of the neurotransmitter glutamate.
Several studies indicated that the expression, distribution, and activity of brain glutamine synthetase is altered in some brain disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, depression, suicidality, and mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE).