What is the function of VMAT2?
The vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) is an integral presynaptic protein that regulates the packaging and subsequent release of dopamine and other monoamines from neuronal vesicles into the synapse.
What is the VMAT2 gene?
VMAT2 is an integral membrane protein that transports monoamines—particularly neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and histamine from cellular cytosol into synaptic vesicles [5].
Where is VMAT2 located?
adrenal medulla
VMAT2 is primarily expressed in multiple monoaminergic cells in the brain, sympathetic nervous system, mast cells, and histamine containing cells in the gut19–20. VMAT1 and VMAT2 are co-expressed in chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla.
What do VMAT inhibitors do?
The vesicular monoamine transporter type 2 (VMAT2) inhibitors are agents that cause a depletion of neuroactive peptides such as dopamine in nerve terminals and are used to treat chorea due to neurodegenerative diseases (such as Huntington chorea) or dyskinesias due to neuroleptic medications (tardive dyskinesia).
What is a VMAT2 inhibitor?
Vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitors, which deplete dopamine at presynaptic striatal nerve terminals, are a class of drugs that have long been used to treat hyperkinetic movement disorders, but have recently gained more attention following their development for specific indications in the United States.
What type of transporter is dat?
Abstract. The dopamine transporter (DAT) is a transmembrane protein that is responsible for the reuptake of dopamine (DA) from the synaptic cleft and for the termination of dopaminergic transmission.
What does COMT mean?
COMT: Abbreviation for catechol-O-methyltransferase.
What packages serotonin into vesicles?
Vesicular monoamine transporters (VMATs) are responsible for the packaging of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and epinephrine into synaptic vesicles.
What is VMAT dopamine?
The vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT) is a membrane-embedded protein that transports monoamine neurotransmitter molecules into intraneuronal storage vesicles to allow subsequent release into the synapse.
What are VMAT2 inhibitors?
What is VMAT neuroscience?
The vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT) is a membrane-embedded protein that transports monoamine neurotransmitter molecules into intraneuronal storage vesicles to allow subsequent release into the synapse.1,2 By accumulating both newly synthesized neurotransmitter molecules and freshly returned neurotransmitter …
What does VMAT2 stand for?
Vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) is a protein that is encoded by the SLC18A2 gene (Solute carrier family 18 member 2) in humans. VMAT2 is a member of the toxin extruding antiporter family [ R ]. VMAT2 is located in neurons, where it acts as a pump for neurotransmitters, packaging them to be released from the neurons.
What is the pathophysiology of VMAT2 deficiency?
VMAT2 is produced primarily brain and histaminergic cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract [ R ]. Complete loss of VMAT2 is lethal in mice [ R ], while VMAT2-partially deficient mice display progressive neurodegeneration [ R ]. With aging, there are severe changes in the distribution and the condition of VMAT2 in rats [ R ].
Can VMAT2 deficiency cause depression and anxiety?
VMAT2 deficient mice showed an increase in anxiety in some studies [ R ], while exhibiting sluggishness, listlessness, and depression [ R ]. VMAT2 genetic or functional alterations (deficiency) are associated with depression in rats [ R ], and depression symptoms in men [ R ].
Is the VMAT2 gene the God gene?
VMAT2 was nicknamed The God Gene because a variation in the VMAT2 gene supposedly plays a role in one’s openness to spiritual experiences, but this association has not been confirmed in scientific studies [ R ].