Monoamine transporters, as the name implies, transfer monoamine neurotransmitters in or out of a cell. Monoamine neurotransmitters are neurotransmitters and neuromodulators that contain one amino group that is connected to an aromatic ring by a two-carbon chain (-CH2-CH2-). All monoamines are derived from aromatic amino acids like phenylalanine, tyrosine, histidine, tryptophan, and the thyroid hormones by the action of aromatic amino acid decarboxylase... Cells in culture, stained for keratin (red) and DNA (green). ...

There are several different monoamine transporters:

• The dopamine transporter, DAT.
• The norepinephrine transporter, NET.
• The serotonin transporter, SERT.

DAT, NET and SERT are related to each other and they all consist of a structure of 12 transmembrane helices. Dopamine is a chemical naturally produced in the body. ... The dopamine transporter or DAT is a monoamine transporter that is specific for clearing the neurotransmitter dopamine out of the synaptic cleft and into a glial cell or the presynaptic neuron. ... Norepinephrine (INN) or noradrenaline (BAN) is a catecholamine and a phenethylamine with chemical formula C8H11NO3. ... The norepinephrine transporter or NET is a monoamine transporter that transports the neurotransmitter norepinephrine from the synapse back to its vesicles for storage until later use. ... Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, or 5-HT) is a monoamine neurotransmitter synthesized in serotonergic neurons in the central nervous system and enterochromaffin cells in the gastrointestinal tract. ... The serotonin transporter is a monoamine transporter protein. ... Within an integral membrane protein, a transmembrane helix is a segment that is alpha-helical in structure, roughly 20 amino acids in length and (though it may be presumed to lie within the protein, out of contact with the surrounding lipid bilayer) is said to span the membrane. ...

Drug action

Many drugs, such as antidepressants and psychoactives affect the monoamine transporters. An antidepressant is a medication designed to treat or alleviate the symptoms of clinical depression. ... A psychoactive drug or psychotropic substance is a chemical that alters brain function, resulting in temporary changes in perception, mood, consciousness, or behaviour. ...

Modern antidepressants typically work by enhancing serotonergic, noradrenergic or dopaminergic neurotransmission by binding to the corresponding transporter, and thereby inhibiting neurotransmitter reuptake and raising active levels in the synapse. Examples include fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; reboxetine, a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and bupropion, which inhibits both the norepinephrine and dopamine transporter. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that are used to relay, amplify and modulate electrical signals between a neuron and another cell. ... Reuptake is the reabsorption of a neurotransmitter by the molecular transporter of a pre-synaptic neuron after it has performed its function of transmitting a neural impulse. ... Illustration of the major elements in a prototypical synapse. ... Fluoxetine hydrochloride is an antidepressant drug used medically in the treatment of depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bulimia nervosa, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and panic disorder. ... Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a class of antidepressants used in the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders and some personality disorders. ... Reboxetine is an antidepressant drug used in the treatment of clinical depression, panic disorder and ADD/ADHD. Its mesilate ( methanesulfonate) salt is sold under tradenames including Edronax®, Norebox®, Prolift®, Solvex® or Vestra®. Reboxetine has two chiral centers, but it only exists as two enantiomers, (R,R)-(-)- and (S,S)-(+)-reboxetine. ... Bupropion (amfebutamone) (brand names Wellbutrin and Zyban) is an antidepressant of the aminoketone class, chemically unrelated to tricyclics or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). ...

The euphoric and addictive properties of amphetamine, methamphetamine and cocaine are thought to come from their potent DAT-blocking activity. Look up euphoria in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Drug addiction, or dependency is the compulsive use of drugs, to the point where the user has no effective choice but to continue use. ... Amphetamine (alpha-methyl-phenethylamine), also known as speed, is a synthetic stimulant used to suppress the appetite, control weight, and treat disorders including narcolepsy and Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. ... Methamphetamine (pharmaceutically referred to as methylamphetamine or desoxyephedrine) is a psychostimulant drug used primarily for recreational purposes, but is sometimes prescribed for ADHD and narcolepsy under the brand name Desoxyn. ... Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. ...

See also

• Glutamate transporter
• Vesicular monoamine transporter

Glutamate transporters exist in the membranes of neurons and glial cells to remove excess amounts of the amino acid neurotransmitters glutamate and aspartate from the synapse. ... The Vesicular Monoamine Transporter is a transport protein located within the presynaptic cell. ...

References

G.E. Torres, R.R. Gainetdinov and M.G. Caron (2003). "Plasma membrane monoamine transporters: structure, regulation and function". Nat. Rev. Neurosci. 4 (1): 13-25. PMID 12511858. (Review)