VMAT2 Antibody / SLC18A2

Neurotransmission depends on the regulated exocytotic release of chemical transmitter molecules. This requires the packaging of these substances into the specialized secretory vesicles of neurons and neuroendocrine cells, a process mediated by specific vesicular transporters. The family of genes encoding the vesicular transporters of monoamines (VMAT 1 and VMAT 2) and acetylcholine (VACht) have been cloned and functionally characterized. The sequence of these integral membrane proteins predicts twelve transmembrane domains and weak homology to a class of bacterial antibiotic resistance proteins. The vesicular transport of neurotransmitter molecules has been shown to be an active ATP- and proton dependent transport mechanism.