Abstract
The quantal release of glutamate depends on its transport into synaptic vesicles. Recent work has shown that a protein previously implicated in the uptake of inorganic phosphate across the plasma membrane catalyzes glutamate uptake by synaptic vesicles. However, only a subset of glutamate neurons expresses this vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT1). We now report that excitatory neurons lacking VGLUT1 express a closely related protein that has also been implicated in phosphate transport. Like VGLUT1, this protein localizes to synaptic vesicles and functions as a vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT2). The complementary expression of VGLUT1 and 2 defines two distinct classes of excitatory synapse.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Animals
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Brain Chemistry
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Carrier Proteins / analysis
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Carrier Proteins / chemistry
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Carrier Proteins / genetics*
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Gene Expression*
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Glutamic Acid / metabolism
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Immunohistochemistry
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In Situ Hybridization
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Membrane Transport Proteins*
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Mice
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Neurons / chemistry
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Neurons / ultrastructure
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PC12 Cells
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Phosphates / metabolism
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RNA, Messenger / analysis
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Rats
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Sequence Alignment
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Synapses / chemistry*
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Synapses / physiology
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Synaptic Vesicles / chemistry
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Synaptic Vesicles / metabolism
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Tissue Distribution
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Vesicular Glutamate Transport Protein 1
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Vesicular Glutamate Transport Protein 2
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Vesicular Transport Proteins*
Substances
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Carrier Proteins
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Membrane Transport Proteins
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Phosphates
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RNA, Messenger
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Slc17a6 protein, mouse
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Slc17a6 protein, rat
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Slc17a7 protein, mouse
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Slc17a7 protein, rat
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Vesicular Glutamate Transport Protein 1
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Vesicular Glutamate Transport Protein 2
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Vesicular Transport Proteins
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Glutamic Acid