Impact of psychostimulants on vesicular monoamine transporter function.
The vesicular monoamine transporter-2 (VMAT-2) facilitates the sequestration of catecholamines and serotonin into synaptic vesicles, and is therefore an essential regulator of monoaminergic neuronal function. VMAT-2 proteins may also play a role in neuroprotection, since these transporters have the capacity to sequester neurotoxins within vesicles. Recent studies have demonstrated that psychostimulants, particularly dopamine "releasers" and "reuptake inhibitors", differentially alter VMAT-2 function. As described in this review, these studies not only provide insight into the pharmacological actions of stimulants, but also mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's disease.
Fleckenstein
Annette E
AE
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, 30 South 2000 East, Room 201, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA. fleckenstein@hsc.utah.edu
Hanson
Glen R
GR
D000818:Animals; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000819:agonists / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D050492:Vesicular Biogenic Amine Transport Proteins; D050493:Vesicular Monoamine Transport Proteins
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D050492:Vesicular Biogenic Amine Transport Proteins; D050493:Vesicular Monoamine Transport Proteins