This gene encodes a member of a family of solute transporter proteins. The membrane-bound protein is the principal transporter that clears the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate from the extracellular space at synapses in the central nervous system. Glutamate clearance is necessary for proper synaptic activation and to prevent neuronal damage from excessive activation of glutamate receptors. Mutations in and decreased expression of this protein are associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Alternatively spliced transcript variants of this gene have been identified. [provided by RefSeq, Sep 2010].