Biology:Vesicular acetylcholine transporter

From HandWiki
Short description: Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens


A representation of the 3D structure of the protein myoglobin showing turquoise α-helices.
Generic protein structure example


The Vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) is a neurotransmitter transporter which is responsible for loading acetylcholine (ACh) into secretory organelles in neurons making acetylcholine available for secretion.[1][2] It is encoded by Solute carrier family 18, member 3 (SLC18A3) gene, located within the first intron of the choline acetyltransferase gene. VAChT is able to transport ACh into vesicles by relying on an exchange between protons (H+) that were previously pumped into the vesicle diffusing out, thus acting as an antiporter. ACh molecules are then carried into the vesicle by the action of exiting protons.[3] Acetylcholine transport utilizes a proton gradient established by a vacuolar ATPase.

VAChT uptake inhibitors

Radiolabeled compounds

PET imaging of the VAChT may provide insights into early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

  • (−)-trans-2-Hydroxy-3-(4-(4-[18F]fluorobenzoyl)piperidino)tetralin; racemate: Ki = 2.70 nM for VAChT, 191 nM for σ1, and 251 nM for σ2[4]

References

  1. "Molecular analysis of vesicular amine transporter function and targeting to secretory organelles". FASEB Journal 14 (15): 2450–8. Dec 2000. doi:10.1096/fj.00-0206rev. PMID 11099462. 
  2. "Visualization of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter in cholinergic nerve terminals and its targeting to a specific population of small synaptic vesicles". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 93 (8): 3547–52. Apr 1996. doi:10.1073/pnas.93.8.3547. PMID 8622973. 
  3. Waymire, Jack. "Storage of ACh". University of Texas Medical Center. http://neuroscience.uth.tmc.edu/s1/chapter11.html. 
  4. "Synthesis and in vitro and in vivo evaluation of 18F-labeled positron emission tomography (PET) ligands for imaging the vesicular acetylcholine transporter". Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 52 (5): 1358–69. Mar 2009. doi:10.1021/jm8012344. PMID 19203271. 

Further reading

External links