A complementary DNA clone was isolated from human brain that encodes a glutamate transporter. Injection of RNA transcribed from this cDNA into Xenopus oocytes resulted in expression of a transport activity with a high affinity for glutamate (Km = 78.4 mu M) and a dependency on external Na+. The cDNA sequence predicts a protein of 542 amino acids that is highly homologous to the congeneric proteins from rat and mouse brains. RNA blotting analyses revealed the expression both in the brain and in peripheral tissues. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.