Overview
- Peptide (C)ESDPGKQSFWKLVT, corresponding to amino acid residues 222 - 235 of mouse SLC18B1 (Accession D3Z5L6). Intracellular, 3rd loop.
- Western blot analysis of rat brain lysates (lanes 1 and 3) and mouse brain lysates (lanes 2 and 4):1-2. Anti-SLC18B1 (VPAT) Antibody (#AMT-008), (1:200).
3-4. Anti-SLC18B1 (VPAT) Antibody, preincubated with SLC18B1 (VPAT) Blocking Peptide (BLP-MT008). - Western blot analysis of human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line lysates (lanes 1 and 3) and human THP-1 monocytic leukemia cell line lysates (lanes 2 and 4):1-2. Anti-SLC18B1 (VPAT) Antibody (#AMT-008), (1:200).
3-4. Anti-SLC18B1 (VPAT) Antibody, preincubated with SLC18B1 (VPAT) Blocking Peptide (BLP-MT008).
The vesicular amine transporter family (VAT, SLC18) is a group of integral proteins located at the secretory vesicles of neuronal and endocrine cells. SLC18 transporters are responsible for the transition of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, adrenaline, dopamine, acetylcholine and histamine into secretory vesicles1,4.
Solute carrier 18B1 (SLC18B1) is the fourth and last identified member of the SLC18 family and is conserved across all kingdom of life. In contrast to the other SLC18 proteins that can recognized only monoamines as a substrate, SLC18B1 can recognize diamines and triamines such as spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm). The transporter carries out this function using a gradient of H+ created by vacuolar H+-ATPase activity2.
SLC18B1 has a predicted membrane topology of 12 transmembrane domains (TMDs) and two phosphorylation sites. SLC18B1 mRNA was found to be expressed in both human and mice in the lung, placenta, adrenal gland, liver and brain. It was found that SLC18B1 knock out mice has impaired short and long term memory. In addition, SLC18B1 KO eliminate the secretion of histamine from mice mast cells and therefore play a role in the immune response3.