Slc32a1
Function
Antiporter that exchanges vesicular protons for cytosolic 4-aminobutanoate or to a lesser extend glycine, thus allowing their secretion from nerve terminals (By similarity) (PubMed:9349821). The transport is equally dependent on the chemical and electrical components of the proton gradient (PubMed:9349821). May also transport beta-alanine (PubMed:23919636). Acidification of GABAergic synaptic vesicles is a prerequisite for 4-aminobutanoate uptake (By similarity).
Sequence Similarities
Belongs to the amino acid/polyamine transporter 2 family.
Tissue Specificity
Brain (PubMed:9349821, PubMed:9822734). Expressed at high levels within the neocortex, hippocampus, cerebellum, striatum, septal nuclei and the reticular nucleus of the thalamus (PubMed:9349821). Also expressed in islets where it is more abundant in the peripheral/mantle region (PubMed:12031963). Highly expressed in the nerve endings of GABA neurons in the brain and spinal cord but also in glycinergic nerve endings (PubMed:9822734). Expressed in glycine-, GABA- or GABA- and glycine-containing boutons (PubMed:10036231, PubMed:9822734).
Cellular localization
- Cytoplasmic vesicle
- Secretory vesicle
- Synaptic vesicle membrane
- Multi-pass membrane protein
- Presynapse
- Presents in glycine-, GABA- or GABA- and glycine-containing boutons.
Alternative names
Vgat, Viaat, Slc32a1, Vesicular inhibitory amino acid transporter, GABA and glycine transporter, Solute carrier family 32 member 1, Vesicular GABA transporter, rat UNC-47 homolog, rGVAT, RUNC-47