The cellular and subcellular distributions of the glutamate transporter subtypes EAACl, CLT-1, and CIAST in the rat CNS were demonstrated using anti-peptide antibodies that recognize the C-terminal domains of each transporter. On immunoblots, the antibodies specifically recognize proteins of 65-73 kDa in total brain homogenates. lmmunocytochemistry shows that glutamate transporter subtypes are distributed differentially within neurons and astroglia. EAACl is specific for certain neurons, such as large pyramidal cortical neurons and Purkinje cells, but does not appear to be selective for glutamatergic neurons. GLT-1 is localized only to astroglia. GLUT is found in both neurons and astroglia. The regional localizations are uniquetwach transporter subtype. EAACl is highly enriched in the cortex, hippo campus, and caudate-putamen and is confined to preand postsynaptic elements. GLT-1 is distributed in astrocytes throughout the brain and spinal cord. GLUT is most abundant in Bergmann glia in the cerebellar molecular layer brain, but is also present in the cortex, hippocampus, and deep cerebellar nuclei.