Synonyms
Uptake carrier
Definition
Neurotransmitter transporters are uptake carriers in the plasma membrane of neurons and glial cells, which pump neurotransmitters from the extracellular space into the cell (Fig. 1) [1].
Schematic Representation of the Main Neurotransmission Steps at a Synapse. The neurotransmitter is synthesized in the presynaptic neuron, stored in synaptic vesicles and released into the synaptic cleft by exocytosis to act on neurotransmitter receptors. To terminate the neurotransmission, the released neurotransmitter has to be removed promptly from the synaptic cleft. High-affinity neurotransmitter transporters present at pre-synaptic or post-synaptic neurons and/or astrocytes are responsible for rapid removal of neurotransmitter [1].
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References
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Tanaka, K. (2009). Neurotransmitter Transporter. In: Binder, M.D., Hirokawa, N., Windhorst, U. (eds) Encyclopedia of Neuroscience. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-29678-2_3955
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-29678-2_3955
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