Neurotransmitter recognition by human vesicular monoamine transporter 2
Human vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), a member of the SLC18 family, plays a crucial role in regulating neurotransmitters in the brain by facilitating their uptake and storage within vesicles, preparing them for exocytotic release. Because of its central role in neurotransmitter signalling and neuroprotection, VMAT2 is a target for neurodegenerative diseases and movement disorders, with its inhibitor being used as therapeutics. Despite the importance of VMAT2 in pharmacophysiology, the molecular basis of VMAT2-mediated neurotransmitter transport and its inhibition remains unclear. Here we show the cryo-electron microscopy structure of VMAT2 in the substrate-free state, in complex with the neurotransmitter dopamine, and in complex with the inhibitor tetrabenazine. In addition to these structural determinations, monoamine uptake assays, mutational studies, and pKa value predictions were performed to characterize the dynamic changes in VMAT2 structure. These results provide a structural basis for understanding VMAT2-mediated vesicular transport of neurotransmitters and a platform for modulation of current inhibitor design.
Authors
- So Iwata (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1735-2937)
- Yuki Shiimura (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9752-7399)
- Jun-ichi Kishikawa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3913-7330)
- Takeshi Noda (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0658-4663)
- Takaaki Miyaji (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7257-7621)
- Dohyun Im (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6939-7718)
- Mika Jormakka (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2326-1735)
- Takayuki Kato (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8879-6685)
- Narinobu Juge
- Hidetsugu Asada (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6255-4728)
- Yukihiko Sugita (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6861-4840)
- Tomoko Uemura
Institutions
- Kurume University (JP)
- Okayama University (JP)
- Kyoto University (JP)
- Kyoto Institute of Technology (JP)
- Japan Science and Technology Agency (JP)
- SPring-8 (JP)
- Advanced Science Research Center (JP)
- Protein Research Foundation (JP)
- The University of Osaka (JP)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2024-09-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-51960-z
- Citations
- 8
- Primary Topic
- Receptor Mechanisms and Signaling
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.87
Funders
- V Foundation for Cancer Research
- Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development
- Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- Mochida Memorial Foundation for Medical and Pharmaceutical Research
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University