Vesicular monoamine transporter 2: Role as a novel target for drug development

Guangrong Zheng, Linda P. Dwoskin, Peter A. Crooks

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

105 Scopus citations

Abstract

In the central nervous system, vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) is the only transporter that moves cytoplasmic dopamine (DA) into synaptic vesicles for storage and subsequent exocytotic release. Pharmacologically enhancing DA sequestration by VMAT2, and thus preventing the oxidation of DA in the cytoplasm, may be a strategy for treating diseases such as Parkinson's disease. VMAT2 may also be a novel target for the development of treatments for psychostimulant abuse. This review summarizes the possible role of VMAT2 as a therapeutic target, VMAT2 ligands, reported in the literature, and the structure-activity relationship of these ligands, including tetrabenazine analogs, ketanserin analogs, lobeline analogs, and 3-amine-2-phenylpropene analogs. The molecular structure of VMAT2 and its relevance to ligand binding are briefly discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Article number78
JournalAAPS Journal
Volume8
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 10 2006

Keywords

  • Ketanserin
  • Lobeline
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Psychostimulant abuse
  • Tetrabenazine
  • Vesicular monoamine transporter 2

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmaceutical Science

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