SLC18: Vesicular neurotransmitter transporters for monoamines and acetylcholine

Abstract

The exocytotic release of neurotransmitters requires active transport into synaptic vesicles and other types of secretory vesicles. Members of the SLC18 family perform this function for acetylcholine (SLC18A3, the vesicular acetylcholine transporter or VAChT) and monoamines such as dopamine and serotonin (SLC18A1 and 2, the vesicular monoamine transporters VMAT1 and 2, respectively). To date, no specific diseases have been attributed to a mutation in an SLC18 family member; however, polymorphisms in SLC18A1 and SLC18A2 may confer risk for some neuropsychiatric disorders. Additional members of this family include SLC18A4, expressed in insects, and SLC18B1, the function of which is not known. SLC18 is part of the Drug:H+ Antiporter-1 Family (DHA1, TCID 2.A.1.2) within the Major Facilitator Superfamily (MFS, TCID 2.A.1).

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Candidate Genes Associated with Fertilizing Ability of Sperm and Subsequent Embryonic Development in Cattle1

“…The FAM5C gene encodes for a secreted protein that promotes differentiation of osteoblasts [39]. As mentioned previously, SLC18A2 is a neurotransmitter transporter for monoamines [27], and monoamines can participate in regulation of preimplantation development [40]. Another gene associated with blastocyst development, WBP1, interacts with the kinase gene YAP to positively or negatively regulate cell growth, differentiation, and migration [41].…”

“…HSD17B6 encodes for an enzyme with oxidoreductase and epimerase activity toward androgens and estrogens [25,26] and likely regulates steroid action in the male reproductive tract. Another gene, SLC18A2, is a neurotransmitter transporter for monoamines [27], and monoaminergic nerves may be involved in regulation of blood flow in the testis [28]. Other genes associated with CR have functions suggesting they play a role in survival of sperm in vivo after environmental insults or in vitro following semen processing and cryopreservation.…”

Dopamine gene methylation patterns are associated with obesity markers and carbohydrate intake

“…DA is synthesized through DOPA decarboxylase (DDC) activity and subsequently packed into synaptic vesicles via the SLC18 family of transporter proteins including VMAT1 (SLC18A1) (Lawal & Krantz, 2013). In this study, both DDC and SLC18A1 gene methylation levels negatively correlated with BMI and were downregulated under AO conditions.…”

Embryo splitting affects the transcriptome during elongation stage of in vitro–produced bovine blastocysts

“…This is a big family of genes (more than 300) encoding for diverse solute transporter proteins. Of particular interest is SLC18A2 (solute carrier family 18 vesicular monoamine transporter, member 2), which encodes for a neurotransmitter transporter for monoamines; [61]. Beside their function as neurotransmitters, monoamines had been identified in follicular and oviductal fluid of various species of mammals [62].…”