Vesicular glutamate transporter 3

Vesicular glutamate transporter 3 (VGLUT3) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SLC17A8 gene. It is one of the three known vesicular glutamate transporters that are responsible for packaging glutamate into synaptic vesicles during the process of neurotransmission.

Function

VGLUT3 is unique among the vesicular glutamate transporters as it is not primarily located in glutamatergic neurons. Instead, it is found in non-glutamatergic neurons where it is thought to play a role in modulating the release of other neurotransmitters. For example, it is found in serotonin neurons in the raphe nuclei, acetylcholine neurons in the basal forebrain, and GABAergic neurons in the striatum.

Clinical significance

Mutations in the SLC17A8 gene have been associated with deafness, specifically autosomal dominant nonsyndromic deafness type 25 (DFNA25). This is a form of hearing loss that affects the inner ear's ability to transmit sound vibrations to the brain.

See also

• Vesicular glutamate transporter
• Vesicular glutamate transporter 1
• Vesicular glutamate transporter 2

External links

• SLC17A8 at the National Center for Biotechnology Information