Slc17a6
Developmental stage
Expressed in brain throughout development. Transiently expressed in hippocampal neurons during the first week after birth, with expression decreasing thereafter.
Function
Multifunctional transporter that transports L-glutamate as well as multiple ions such as chloride, proton, potassium, sodium and phosphate (PubMed:11432869, PubMed:17108179, PubMed:25433636, PubMed:33440152). At the synaptic vesicle membrane, mainly functions as a uniporter which transports preferentially L-glutamate but also, phosphate from the cytoplasm into synaptic vesicles at presynaptic nerve terminals of excitatory neural cells (PubMed:11432869, PubMed:17108179). The L-glutamate or phosphate uniporter activity is electrogenic and is driven by the proton electrochemical gradient, mainly by the electrical gradient established by the vacuolar H(+)-ATPase across the synaptic vesicle membrane (PubMed:11432869). In addition, functions as a chloride channel that allows a chloride permeation through the synaptic vesicle membrane therefore affects the proton electrochemical gradient and promotes synaptic vesicles acidification (By similarity). Moreover, functions as a vesicular K(+)/H(+) antiport allowing to maintain the electrical gradient and to decrease chemical gradient and therefore sustain vesicular glutamate uptake (PubMed:25433636). The vesicular H(+)/H(+) antiport activity is electroneutral (PubMed:25433636). At the plasma membrane, following exocytosis, functions as a symporter of Na(+) and phosphate from the extracellular space to the cytoplasm allowing synaptic phosphate homeostasis regulation (PubMed:33440152). The symporter activity is driven by an inside negative membrane potential and is electrogenic (PubMed:33440152). Also involved in the regulation of retinal hyaloid vessel regression during postnatal development (PubMed:30936473). May also play a role in the endocrine glutamatergic system of other tissues such as pineal gland and pancreas (By similarity).
Sequence Similarities
Belongs to the major facilitator superfamily. Sodium/anion cotransporter family. VGLUT subfamily.
Tissue Specificity
Expressed in brain. Expressed in hippocampal neurons (at protein level).
Cellular localization
- Cytoplasmic vesicle
- Secretory vesicle
- Synaptic vesicle membrane
- Multi-pass membrane protein
- Synapse
- Synaptosome
- Cell membrane
- Multi-pass membrane protein
Alternative names
Dnpi, Vglut2, Slc17a6, Vesicular glutamate transporter 2, VGluT2, Differentiation-associated BNPI, Differentiation-associated Na(+)-dependent inorganic phosphate cotransporter, Solute carrier family 17 member 6