Monoamine Transporter

Monoamine transporters are integral membrane proteins that regulate the reuptake of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine from the synaptic cleft back into the presynaptic neuron. This reuptake process is crucial for neurotransmitter recycling and termination of signal transduction, impacting mood, arousal, and cognition. The primary monoamine transporters include the dopamine transporter (DAT), serotonin transporter (SERT), and norepinephrine transporter (NET). These transporters are key targets for various psychotropic medications, including antidepressants and stimulants, which block transporter functions to increase neurotransmitter availability in the brain. Modulating these transporters can treat psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, making them critical targets in neuroscience research and therapy.