The SLC18A1 gene encodes the vesicular monoamine transporter 1 (VMAT1), which is primarily involved in the transport of specific monoamine neurotransmitters into synaptic vesicles. The types of neurotransmitters that use VMAT1 for vesicular transport include:
Primary Neurotransmitters Transported by VMAT1
Serotonin (5-HT)
Function: Serotonin is involved in regulating mood, appetite, sleep, and other functions. It plays a key role in the pathophysiology of depression and anxiety disorders.
Transport: VMAT1 loads serotonin into synaptic vesicles in serotonergic neurons.
Histamine
Function: Histamine is involved in the regulation of sleep-wake cycles, immune responses, and gastric acid secretion.
Transport: VMAT1 transports histamine into vesicles primarily in histaminergic neurons.
Secondary Neurotransmitters Transported by VMAT1 (to a lesser extent)
Dopamine
Function: Dopamine is crucial for reward, motivation, motor control, and several other functions. Dysregulation is associated with Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, and addiction.
Transport: While VMAT1 can transport dopamine, it does so less efficiently compared to VMAT2. Dopaminergic neurons predominantly rely on VMAT2.
Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline)
Function: Norepinephrine is involved in attention, arousal, and the fight-or-flight response.
Transport: Similar to dopamine, VMAT1 can transport norepinephrine but with lower efficiency compared to VMAT2. Noradrenergic neurons primarily use VMAT2.
Summary
VMAT1 (encoded by SLC18A1) primarily transports serotonin and histamine into synaptic vesicles, playing a key role in serotonergic and histaminergic neurotransmission. It also has the capacity to transport dopamine and norepinephrine, although these functions are predominantly handled by VMAT2 (encoded by SLC18A2) in dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurons, respectively.