Monoamine transporters characterization

Zucker M, Weizman A, Rehavi M. 2001. Characterization of high-affinity [3H]TBZOH binding to the human platelet vesicular monoamine transporter. Life Sci 69 2311-2317. 

Engel, K., Zhou, M., and Wang, J. (2004) Identification and characterization of a novel monoamine transporter in fhe... 

The neurotransmitter phenotype, (i.e., what type of neurotransmitter is stored and ultimately will be released from the synaptic bouton) is determined by the identity of the neurotransmitter transporter that resides on the synaptic vesicle membrane. Although some exceptions to the rule may exist all synaptic vesicles of a given neuron normally will express only one transporter type and thus will have a dehned neurotransmitter phenotype (this concept is enveloped in what is known as Dale s principle see also Reference 19). To date, four major vesicular transporter systems have been characterized that support synaptic vesicle uptake of glutamate (VGLUT 1-3), GABA and glycine (VGAT), acetylcholine (VAChT), and monoamines such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin (VMAT 1 and 2). Vesicles that store and release neuropeptides do not have specific transporters to load and concentrate the peptides but, instead, are formed with the peptides already contained within. 

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