Component

Cellular L-theanine uptake

Cellular L-theanine uptake. Species, exposure and limitations are retained in each linked claim.

4 recorded relationships. Experimental role, claim status and evidence remain attached to each record.

Read recorded mechanisms Open recursive mind map

How nutrients influence it

Every nutrient with a recorded effect on this component, credited to the nutrient that acted rather than the chapter that recorded it. Open a nutrient to see the findings and the conditions they were measured under.

How nutrients reach it in more than one step

Chains of two or more recorded steps that end here, grouped by the nutrient they start from. Each step is a separate finding, so a chain is a route a mechanism could take, not proof that it does.

Tracing routes…

What it does

Every recorded relationship this component is part of, grouped by its role. Plain wording comes first; the technical statement follows.

Recorded relationships

What acts on it

  1. Glutamine inhibited theanine accumulation in rat brain synaptosomal fractions.

    L-Glutamine → Cellular L-theanine uptake source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_span
    {"source_cache": "artifacts/theanine-research/18293419.abstract.txt", "locator": "Primary indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "c94471071feadec8a04eafa7e9d53999dd9756b7f1d5dc1f351152b9b5f4b5d3", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1751, "text_sha256": "c94471071feadec8a04eafa7e9d53999dd9756b7f1d5dc1f351152b9b5f4b5d3"}
    experimental_model
    Radiotracer uptake in synaptosomes and cultured neural cells
    exposure
    Theanine 0.1-10 millimolar in uptake assays; sustained 10 millimolar for glutamate release
    limitations
    High cell concentrations; 10 mM is far above the approximately 25 micromolar plasma peak in the separate human 100 mg study. Different cells from the system L screen; no claim all routes are sodium-dependent.
    nutrient_topic
    L-Theanine research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. · L-Theanine
    organism
    Rat neurons and astroglia
    plain_language
    The competition was observed in both directions.
    primary_references
    [theanine-p18293419] Theanine, an ingredient of green tea, inhibits [3H]glutamine transport in neurons and astroglia in rat brain. (2008). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18293419/ DOI: 10.1002/jnr.21637
    tissue_or_cell_type
    Glutamine transport and extracellular glutamate

    L-Theanine: metabolism, neural signaling, nutrient connections and human outcomes (2026-09-17) · lines 250–261

    AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Radiotracer uptake in synaptosomes and cultured neural cells · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ### theanine-gln-reciprocal Glutamine inhibited theanine accumulation in rat brain synaptosomal fractions. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: L-Theanine research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. plain_language: The competition was observed in both directions. organism: Rat neurons and astroglia tissue_or_cell_type: Glutamine transport and extracellular glutamate experimental_model: Radiotracer uptake in synaptosomes and cultured neural cells limitations: High cell concentrations; 10 mM is far above the approximately 25 micromolar plasma peak in the separate human 100 mg study. Different cells from the system L screen; no claim all routes are sodium-dependent. exposure: Theanine 0.1-10 millimolar in uptake assays; sustained 10 millimolar for glutamate release evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/theanine-research/18293419.abstract.txt", "locator": "Primary indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "c94471071feadec8a04eafa7e9d53999dd9756b7f1d5dc1f351152b9b5f4b5d3", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1751, "text_sha256": "c94471071feadec8a04eafa7e9d53999dd9756b7f1d5dc1f351152b9b5f4b5d3"} [theanine-p18293419] Theanine, an ingredient of green tea, inhibits [3H]glutamine transport in neurons and astroglia in rat brain. (2008). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18293419/ DOI: 10.1002/jnr.21637
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  2. Leucine inhibited theanine uptake in the tested mammalian cell systems.

    L-Leucine → Cellular L-theanine uptake source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_span
    {"source_cache": "artifacts/theanine-research/23221699.abstract.txt", "locator": "Primary indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "0f79abd668759eccd12f86ec895af75dadf94f6412c29d51a2b6cfde712f9372", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1143, "text_sha256": "0f79abd668759eccd12f86ec895af75dadf94f6412c29d51a2b6cfde712f9372"}
    experimental_model
    Cell uptake and stable human-transporter expression
    exposure
    Radiolabeled theanine with leucine/BCH competition and sodium replacement
    limitations
    Human transporter identity confirmed in the public primary PDF methods. Engineered cells do not prove which transporter dominates human blood-brain-barrier flux or a clinical meal interaction.
    nutrient_topic
    L-Theanine research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. · L-Theanine
    organism
    Mammalian cell lines; human LAT1 and LAT2 expressed in mouse S2 cells
    plain_language
    Another dietary amino acid can compete at the transport step.
    primary_references
    [theanine-p23221699] The involvement of L-type amino acid transporters in theanine transport. (2012). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23221699/ DOI: 10.1271/bbb.120519
    tissue_or_cell_type
    System L amino acid transport

    L-Theanine: metabolism, neural signaling, nutrient connections and human outcomes (2026-09-17) · lines 198–209

    AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Cell uptake and stable human-transporter expression · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ### theanine-leucine-competition Leucine inhibited theanine uptake in the tested mammalian cell systems. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: L-Theanine research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. plain_language: Another dietary amino acid can compete at the transport step. organism: Mammalian cell lines; human LAT1 and LAT2 expressed in mouse S2 cells tissue_or_cell_type: System L amino acid transport experimental_model: Cell uptake and stable human-transporter expression limitations: Human transporter identity confirmed in the public primary PDF methods. Engineered cells do not prove which transporter dominates human blood-brain-barrier flux or a clinical meal interaction. exposure: Radiolabeled theanine with leucine/BCH competition and sodium replacement evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/theanine-research/23221699.abstract.txt", "locator": "Primary indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "0f79abd668759eccd12f86ec895af75dadf94f6412c29d51a2b6cfde712f9372", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1143, "text_sha256": "0f79abd668759eccd12f86ec895af75dadf94f6412c29d51a2b6cfde712f9372"} [theanine-p23221699] The involvement of L-type amino acid transporters in theanine transport. (2012). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23221699/ DOI: 10.1271/bbb.120519
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  3. Theanine uptake was mostly sodium independent in the cell-line screen supporting system L transport.

    L-Theanine → Cellular L-theanine uptake source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_span
    {"source_cache": "artifacts/theanine-research/23221699.abstract.txt", "locator": "Primary indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "0f79abd668759eccd12f86ec895af75dadf94f6412c29d51a2b6cfde712f9372", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1143, "text_sha256": "0f79abd668759eccd12f86ec895af75dadf94f6412c29d51a2b6cfde712f9372"}
    experimental_model
    Cell uptake and stable human-transporter expression
    exposure
    Radiolabeled theanine with leucine/BCH competition and sodium replacement
    limitations
    Human transporter identity confirmed in the public primary PDF methods. Engineered cells do not prove which transporter dominates human blood-brain-barrier flux or a clinical meal interaction.
    nutrient_topic
    L-Theanine research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. · L-Theanine
    organism
    Mammalian cell lines; human LAT1 and LAT2 expressed in mouse S2 cells
    plain_language
    Sodium dependence varies with the transport system and cell model.
    primary_references
    [theanine-p23221699] The involvement of L-type amino acid transporters in theanine transport. (2012). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23221699/ DOI: 10.1271/bbb.120519
    tissue_or_cell_type
    System L amino acid transport

    L-Theanine: metabolism, neural signaling, nutrient connections and human outcomes (2026-09-17) · lines 211–222

    AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Cell uptake and stable human-transporter expression · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ### theanine-sodium-independent-system-l Theanine uptake was mostly sodium independent in the cell-line screen supporting system L transport. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: L-Theanine research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. plain_language: Sodium dependence varies with the transport system and cell model. organism: Mammalian cell lines; human LAT1 and LAT2 expressed in mouse S2 cells tissue_or_cell_type: System L amino acid transport experimental_model: Cell uptake and stable human-transporter expression limitations: Human transporter identity confirmed in the public primary PDF methods. Engineered cells do not prove which transporter dominates human blood-brain-barrier flux or a clinical meal interaction. exposure: Radiolabeled theanine with leucine/BCH competition and sodium replacement evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/theanine-research/23221699.abstract.txt", "locator": "Primary indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "0f79abd668759eccd12f86ec895af75dadf94f6412c29d51a2b6cfde712f9372", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1143, "text_sha256": "0f79abd668759eccd12f86ec895af75dadf94f6412c29d51a2b6cfde712f9372"} [theanine-p23221699] The involvement of L-type amino acid transporters in theanine transport. (2012). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23221699/ DOI: 10.1271/bbb.120519
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  4. Replacing sodium chloride with choline chloride reduced theanine and glutamine accumulation in rat brain preparations.

    Sodium ion → Cellular L-theanine uptake source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    availability_state
    machinery_impairment Imported condition classification; unverified.
    evidence_span
    {"source_cache": "artifacts/theanine-research/18293419.abstract.txt", "locator": "Primary indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "c94471071feadec8a04eafa7e9d53999dd9756b7f1d5dc1f351152b9b5f4b5d3", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1751, "text_sha256": "c94471071feadec8a04eafa7e9d53999dd9756b7f1d5dc1f351152b9b5f4b5d3"}
    experimental_model
    Radiotracer uptake in synaptosomes and cultured neural cells
    exposure
    Theanine 0.1-10 millimolar in uptake assays; sustained 10 millimolar for glutamate release
    limitations
    High cell concentrations; 10 mM is far above the approximately 25 micromolar plasma peak in the separate human 100 mg study. Different cells from the system L screen; no claim all routes are sodium-dependent.
    nutrient_topic
    L-Theanine research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. · L-Theanine
    organism
    Rat neurons and astroglia
    plain_language
    This particular transport system required its normal ionic environment.
    primary_references
    [theanine-p18293419] Theanine, an ingredient of green tea, inhibits [3H]glutamine transport in neurons and astroglia in rat brain. (2008). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18293419/ DOI: 10.1002/jnr.21637
    tissue_or_cell_type
    Glutamine transport and extracellular glutamate
    trigger_kind
    machinery_impairment Imported condition classification; unverified.

    L-Theanine: metabolism, neural signaling, nutrient connections and human outcomes (2026-09-17) · lines 276–287

    AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Radiotracer uptake in synaptosomes and cultured neural cells · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ### theanine-sodium-replacement Replacing sodium chloride with choline chloride reduced theanine and glutamine accumulation in rat brain preparations. Condition category: machinery_impairment nutrient_topic: L-Theanine research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. plain_language: This particular transport system required its normal ionic environment. organism: Rat neurons and astroglia tissue_or_cell_type: Glutamine transport and extracellular glutamate experimental_model: Radiotracer uptake in synaptosomes and cultured neural cells limitations: High cell concentrations; 10 mM is far above the approximately 25 micromolar plasma peak in the separate human 100 mg study. Different cells from the system L screen; no claim all routes are sodium-dependent. exposure: Theanine 0.1-10 millimolar in uptake assays; sustained 10 millimolar for glutamate release evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/theanine-research/18293419.abstract.txt", "locator": "Primary indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "c94471071feadec8a04eafa7e9d53999dd9756b7f1d5dc1f351152b9b5f4b5d3", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1751, "text_sha256": "c94471071feadec8a04eafa7e9d53999dd9756b7f1d5dc1f351152b9b5f4b5d3"} [theanine-p18293419] Theanine, an ingredient of green tea, inhibits [3H]glutamine transport in neurons and astroglia in rat brain. (2008). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18293419/ DOI: 10.1002/jnr.21637
    Complete structured claim and evidence

In the sources

Preserved passages that mention this component, quoted exactly. Open one to read it in context.

    This is a research prototype built from draft material. It is not medical advice, and its statements still await verification against the original studies.

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