SLC17A8
Description
The SLC17A8 (solute carrier family 17 member 8) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 12.
SLC17A8, also known as Vesicular glutamate transporter 3 (VGLUT3), is a protein involved in glutamate transport and is linked to hearing loss. It carries the neurotransmitter glutamate into synaptic vesicles before it's released into the synaptic cleft. Mutations in this gene cause autosomal-dominant nonsyndromic deafness type 25 (DFNA25).
SLC17A8, also known as VGLUT3, is a multifunctional transporter involved in various cellular processes. It primarily transports L-glutamate into synaptic vesicles at presynaptic nerve terminals of excitatory neurons, driven by the proton electrochemical gradient. This uniporter activity is electrogenic. Additionally, SLC17A8 acts as a chloride channel across the synaptic vesicle membrane, influencing the proton electrochemical gradient and promoting vesicle acidification. Following exocytosis, SLC17A8 functions as a symporter at the plasma membrane, transporting sodium and phosphate from the extracellular space into the cytoplasm, contributing to synaptic phosphate homeostasis. This symporter activity is also electrogenic. Furthermore, SLC17A8 collaborates with SLC18A3/VACHT under a stable H+ gradient to facilitate striatal vesicular acetylcholine uptake.
SLC17A8 is also known as DFNA25, VGLUT3.
