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Tracer Flux Measurements to Study Outward Transport by Monoamine Neurotransmitter Transporters

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Neurotransmitter Transporters

Part of the book series: Neuromethods ((NM,volume 118))

Abstract

The physiological role of neurotransmitter transporter (NTT) proteins is the reuptake of released neurotransmitter from the synaptic cleft. NTTs accomplish uptake by undergoing a transport cycle, which relies on a return step in the empty state. In addition, NTTs can also run in the reverse direction and transport substrates out of the cells. This can be observed under conditions, where the transmembrane sodium gradient dissipates, e.g., if sodium accumulates within the cell. This reverse transport mode is also induced by amphetamines and the exact mechanism underlying the amphetamine action is still enigmatic and involves complex regulatory processes. In the current chapter, we describe various methods that can be used to assess the efflux of neurotransmitter from cells heterologously expressing the NTTs of interest or from preparations derived from intact brain tissue.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the Austrian Science Fund for continuous support (grant F35).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringerstrasse 13a, 1090, Vienna, Austria

    Thomas Steinkellner, Felix P. Mayer, Tina Hofmaier, Marion Holy, Therese Montgomery, Birgit Eisenrauch, Michael Freissmuth & Harald H. Sitte

  2. School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, 4, Ireland

    Therese Montgomery

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  1. Thomas Steinkellner
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  2. Felix P. Mayer
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  3. Tina Hofmaier
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  4. Marion Holy
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  5. Therese Montgomery
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  6. Birgit Eisenrauch
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  7. Michael Freissmuth
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  8. Harald H. Sitte
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Correspondence to Harald H. Sitte .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Biomedical Center Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany

    Heinz Bönisch

  2. Center of Physiology and Pharmacology Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    Harald H. Sitte

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Steinkellner, T. et al. (2016). Tracer Flux Measurements to Study Outward Transport by Monoamine Neurotransmitter Transporters. In: Bönisch, H., Sitte, H. (eds) Neurotransmitter Transporters. Neuromethods, vol 118. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-3765-3_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-3765-3_2

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-3763-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-3765-3

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