Anti-VAChT antibody

Supplementary info

This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.

Activity summary

The vesicular acetylcholine transporter often referred to as VAChT is responsible for packaging acetylcholine into vesicles in cholinergic neurons. This process is important for synaptic transmission in the nervous system. VAChT functions by using a proton gradient to transport acetylcholine against its concentration gradient into synaptic vesicles. VAChT has a molecular mass of approximately 55 kDa. It is widely expressed in cholinergic neurons throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems particularly in regions such as the cortex hippocampus and neuromuscular junctions.

Biological function summary

The function of VAChT plays an important role in the cholinergic system by facilitating neurotransmitter storage essential for neural communication. As part of the vesicular neurotransmitter transporter family VAChT collectively works with other proteins within this complex system to regulate acetylcholine availability and release. The stored acetylcholine within vesicles is released into the synaptic cleft in response to neuronal signals which promotes synapse firing and communication between neurons.

Pathways

Acetylcholine packaging and release managed by VAChT is integral to the cholinergic signaling pathway. This pathway is fundamental to ensuring proper function of learning memory and muscle control processes. VAChT works closely with the protein choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) which synthesizes acetylcholine from choline and acetyl-CoA. These proteins ensure a seamless conversion and transport loop within cholinergic neurons to maintain efficient neural signaling.

Associated diseases and disorders

VAChT has been linked to conditions that involve impaired cholinergic function such as Alzheimer's disease and myasthenia gravis. In Alzheimer's disease disruptions in the cholinergic system often marked by reduced VAChT expression contribute to cognitive decline. VAChT variations can also impact acetylcholine availability in myasthenia gravis a disorder characterized by muscle weakness. In both cases the relationship between VAChT and ChAT is important as ChAT levels often change in parallel affecting overall cholinergic signaling and response.