[Function of monoamine neurotransmitter transporters]

Nihon Rinsho. 2001 Aug;59(8):1457-64.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

Monoamine transporters include plasma membrane and vesicular monoamine transporters(VMAT). The former selectively and Na+/Cl(-)-dependently transport dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin into the cytoplasma, and the latter non-selectively carries monoamine into the vesicle. These transporters are composed of amino acid groups containing 12 folds more transmembrane components. Cytoplasmic transporters are a target site of certain drugs. Antiepileptic drugs such as SSRI and tricyclic antidepressants bind with serotonin transporter(SERT), noradrenaline transporter(NET) and/or dopamine transporters(DAT) to inhibit transport of monoamines into the cytoplasma, thereby increasing monoamine levels within the synaptic cleft. However, amphetamine, known to induce drug dependence, is transported by DAT and inhibit VMAT to induce reverse-transport of monoamines into the synaptic area, thereby producing psychiatric and behavioral alterations. Thus, monoamine transporters are target sites of drugs, and functional changes in the transporters may be involved in the pathogenesis of affective diseases, schizophrenia and/or personality disorders including neurogenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Biogenic Monoamines / metabolism
  • Carrier Proteins / physiology*
  • Central Nervous System Agents / metabolism
  • Central Nervous System Agents / pharmacology
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism
  • Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Humans
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / physiology*
  • Membrane Transport Proteins*
  • Mental Disorders / etiology
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins*
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / etiology
  • Neuropeptides*
  • Norepinephrine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Symporters*
  • Vesicular Biogenic Amine Transport Proteins

Substances

  • Biogenic Monoamines
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Central Nervous System Agents
  • Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Neuropeptides
  • Norepinephrine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • SLC6A2 protein, human
  • SLC6A3 protein, human
  • SLC6A4 protein, human
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Symporters
  • Vesicular Biogenic Amine Transport Proteins