VGAT (vesicular GABA transporter, VIAAT)

GABA transporter in the membrane of synaptic vesicles

General Information

The vesicular GABA transporter VGAT is responsible for uptake and storage of GABA by synaptic vesicles in the central nervous system. For this reason it is frequently referred to as the vesicular inhibitory aminoacid transporter VIAAT. It is different from the plasma membrane transporters in that it is driven by a proton electrochemical gradient across the vesicle membrane. So far, only one isoform is known.
VGAT is currently the best marker for GABAergic nerve terminals and GABAergic synapses and appears to be responsible also for glycine uptake.