Generic placeholder image

CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1871-5273
ISSN (Online): 1996-3181

Molecular Biology, Pharmacology and Functional Role of the Plasma Membrane Dopamine Transporter

Author(s): Raul R. Gainetdinov, Marc G. Caron, Jean-Martin Beaulieu and Tatyana D. Sotnikova

Volume 5, Issue 1, 2006

Page: [45 - 56] Pages: 12

DOI: 10.2174/187152706784111579

Abstract

The plasma membrane dopamine transporter (DAT) tightly regulates the extracellular concentrations of dopamine (DA) by re-capturing released neurotransmitter back into the presynaptic neuronal terminals and/or neighboring DA projections thereby providing an effective way to regulate synaptic and extrasynaptic DA levels. This transporter is a primary target of many potent psychotropic drugs and neurotoxins, such as cocaine, amphetamines and 1-methyl-4- phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). In this review we summarize recent advances in understanding the structure, regulation, and functional roles of DAT in normal DA physiology and pathological conditions, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and neurodegenerative processes, as well as their contribution to the pharmacology of psychostimulant drugs. Significant new insights on these issues have been gained using mice with genetic deletion of DAT.

Keywords: neurodegeneration, ADHD, serotonin, knockout mice, Dopamine transporter


© 2024 Bentham Science Publishers | Privacy Policy