SLC17A7
Description
The SLC17A7 (solute carrier family 17 member 7) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 19.
SLC17A7 is a gene that encodes the protein vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1). This protein is found in the brain and is responsible for transporting glutamate, an important neurotransmitter, into synaptic vesicles. VGLUT1 is a sodium-dependent phosphate transporter, and it belongs to a distinct class within the Na+/Pi cotransporter family. It shares 82% identity with the differentiation-associated Na-dependent inorganic phosphate cotransporter.
SLC17A7 (VGLUT1) is a multi-functional transporter responsible for the transport of L-glutamate and various ions including chloride, protons, potassium, sodium, and phosphate. At the synaptic vesicle membrane, it primarily acts as an uniporter that preferentially transports L-glutamate and phosphate from the cytoplasm into synaptic vesicles located at the presynaptic nerve terminals of excitatory neurons. This uniporter activity is driven by the proton electrochemical gradient, primarily influenced by the electrical gradient established by the vacuolar H(+)-ATPase across the synaptic vesicle membrane. Additionally, SLC17A7 can function as a chloride channel, enabling chloride permeation through the synaptic vesicle membrane, which in turn influences the proton electrochemical gradient and promotes synaptic vesicle acidification. Furthermore, it may act as a K(+)/H(+) antiporter, contributing to the maintenance of the electrical gradient, reducing the chemical gradient, and sustaining vesicular glutamate uptake. This vesicular K(+)/H(+) antiport activity is electroneutral. After exocytosis at the plasma membrane, SLC17A7 functions as a symporter of Na(+) and phosphate, transporting them from the extracellular space to the cytoplasm, thereby regulating synaptic phosphate homeostasis. This symporter activity is driven by an inside-negative membrane potential and is electrogenic. SLC17A7 is essential for synaptic signaling of visual-evoked responses from photoreceptors. It interacts with SHANK3.
SLC17A7 is also known as BNPI, VGLUT1.
