Excitatory amino acid transporter 1 (SLC1A3)

Sodium-dependent, high-affinity amino acid transporter that mediates the uptake of L-glutamate and also L-aspartate and D-aspartate (PubMed:7521911, PubMed:8123008, PubMed:20477940, PubMed:26690923, PubMed:28032905, PubMed:28424515). Functions as a symporter that transports one amino acid molecule together with two or three Na(+) ions and a single proton, in parallel with the counter-transport of a single K(+) ion (PubMed:20477940).

Mediates Cl(-) flux that's not coupled to amino acid transport; this avoids the accumulation of negative charges because of aspartate and Na(+) symport (PubMed:20477940). Plays a redundant role in the rapid removal of released glutamate from the synaptic cleft, which is vital for terminating the postsynaptic action of glutamate (By similarity).