background:
Neurotransmission depends on the regulated exocytotic release of chemical transmitter molecules. This requires the packaging of these substances into the specialized secretory vesicles of neurons and neuroendocrine cells, a process mediated by specific vesicular transporters. The family of genes encoding the vesicular transporters of monoamines (VMAT 1 and VMAT 2) and acetylcholine (VACht) have been cloned and functionally characterized. The sequence of these integral membrane proteins predicts twelve transmembrane domains and weak homology to a class of bacterial antibiotic resistance proteins. The vesicular transport of neurotransmitter molecules has been shown to be an active ATP- and proton dependent transport mechanism.
Function:
Involved in the ATP-dependent vesicular transport of biogenic amine neurotransmitters. Pumps cytosolic monoamines including dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and histamine into synaptic vesicles. Requisite for vesicular amine storage prior to secretion via exocytosis.
Subunit:
Interacts with SLC6A3.
Subcellular Location:
Cytoplasmic vesicle membrane.
Similarity:
Belongs to the major facilitator superfamily. Vesicular transporter family.
Database links:
Entrez Gene: 6571 Human
Entrez Gene: 214084 Mouse
Entrez Gene: 25549 Rat
Omim: 193001 Human
SwissProt: Q05940 Human
SwissProt: Q8BRU6 Mouse
SwissProt: Q01827 Rat
Unigene: 596992 Human
Unigene: 268797 Mouse
Unigene: 361919 Mouse
Unigene: 9686 Rat
Important Note:
This product as supplied is intended for research use only, not for use in human, therapeutic or diagnostic applications.
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