Vesicular monoamine transporter 1
Vesicular monoamine transporter 1 (VMAT1) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SLC18A1 gene. VMAT1 is a member of the solute carrier family and plays a critical role in the transport of monoamine neurotransmitters across the vesicular membranes within the central and peripheral nervous systems. This transport is essential for the storage of monoamines in synaptic vesicles, thereby regulating their availability for release and subsequent neurotransmission.
Function[edit | edit source]
VMAT1 functions by transporting monoamines—specifically serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and histamine—from the cytosol into synaptic vesicles. This process is driven by a proton gradient across the vesicular membrane, which is generated by a vesicular ATPase. By sequestering monoamines into vesicles, VMAT1 plays a crucial role in controlling the strength and duration of monoamine signal transmission across synapses. This has significant implications for various physiological processes, including mood regulation, alertness, and the stress response.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
Alterations in VMAT1 expression or function have been implicated in several neurological and psychiatric disorders. For example, reduced VMAT1 function can lead to decreased monoamine storage and, consequently, diminished neurotransmitter release into the synaptic cleft. This mechanism has been suggested to contribute to the pathophysiology of conditions such as depression, schizophrenia, and Parkinson's disease. Furthermore, VMAT1 is a target for various pharmacological agents, including reserpine, a drug that depletes monoamine stores by inhibiting VMAT1, thereby reducing neurotransmitter availability.
Genetic Aspects[edit | edit source]
The SLC18A1 gene, located on chromosome 8p21.3, encodes the VMAT1 protein. Genetic variations in SLC18A1 have been studied for their potential association with susceptibility to psychiatric disorders and response to psychotropic medications. However, the results of these studies have been mixed, indicating the need for further research to clarify the role of VMAT1 genetic variability in human health and disease.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
 | This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
