Trafficking of Vesicular Neurotransmitter Transporters

Co-existence of Functionally Different Vesicular Neurotransmitter Transporters

The vesicular transmitter transporters VGLUT, VGAT, VMAT2 and VAChT, define phenotype and physiological properties of neuronal subtypes. VGLUTs concentrate the excitatory amino acid glutamate, VGAT the inhibitory amino acid GABA, VMAT2 monoamines, and VAChT acetylcholine (ACh) into synaptic vesicle (SV). Following membrane depolarization SV release their content into the synaptic cleft. A stric...

Vesicular neurotransmitter transporters: Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Molecular Analysis

The vesicular neurotransmitter transporters: current perspectives and future prospects.

There are three families of vesicular neurotransmitter transporters. The vesicular amine transporters (VATs) are members of the toxin-extruding protontranslocating antiporter family (TEXANs) (1). The vesicular inhibitory amino acid transporter (VIAAT/ VGAT) is a member of a second family with limited homology to plant amino acid permeases (2, 3). A vesicular transporter for the excitatory amino...

Regulated trafficking of neurotransmitter transporters: common notes but different melodies.

The activity of biogenic amine and amino acid neurotransmitters is limited by presynaptic and astrocytic Na(+)-dependent transport systems. Their functional importance is underscored by the observation that these transporters are the targets of broad classes of psychotherapeutic agents, including antidepressants and stimulants. Early studies suggested that the activity of these transporters can...

Vesicular localization and activity-dependent trafficking of presynaptic choline transporters.

Presynaptic synthesis of acetylcholine (ACh) requires a steady supply of choline, acquired by a plasma membrane, hemicholinium-3-sensitive (HC-3) choline transporter (CHT). A significant fraction of synaptic choline is recovered from ACh hydrolyzed by acetylcholinesterase (AChE) after vesicular release. Although antecedent neuronal activity is known to dictate presynaptic CHT activity, the mech...