title: Psychostimulants and monoamine transporters: upsetting the balance.
abstract: Monoamine transporters were originally associated simply with the termination of synaptic monoamine function. In addition to amine reuptake, however, the transporters can act as ion channels that affect exocytotic neurotransmitter release and can operate in reverse mode, mediating non-exocytotic amine release. Activity at the plasma membrane is controlled by trafficking, which is modulated by interaction with both substrates and inhibitors and by cytosolic kinases and phosphatases. Monoamine transporters also constitute the principal sites of action of many psychoactive drugs, including amphetamines and cocaine, as well as therapeutic drugs for the treatment of depression, addiction and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, each modifying the balance of presynaptic neurotransmitter function.
authors.affiliation: Leicester School of Pharmacy, De Montfort University, Leicester LE1 9BH, UK. jme@dmu.ac.uk
authors.forename: J Martin
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Elliott
authors.forename: Thomas J R
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Beveridge
mesh_terms: D000662:Amphetamines / Q000494:pharmacology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003042:Cocaine / Q000494:pharmacology; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D006801:Humans; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D049990:Membrane Transport Modulators; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000662:Amphetamines; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D049990:Membrane Transport Modulators; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D003042:Cocaine