VGLUT 2 (vesicular glutamate transporter 2, DNPI, SLC17A6)

Glutamate transporter in the membrane of synaptic vesicles

General Information

The vesicular glutamate transporter 2 VGLUT 2, also referred to as DNPI and SLC17A6, has a more restricted expression than the related VGLUT 1. Like VGLUT 1, it is both necessary and sufficient for uptake and storage of glutamate and thus comprises the sole determinant for a glutamatergic phenotype. Both VGLUTs are different from the plasma membrane transporters in that they are driven by a proton electrochemical gradient across the vesicle membrane.
VGLUT 1 and VGLUT 2 show complementary expression patterns. Together, they are currently the best markers for glutamatergic nerve terminals and glutamatergic synapses.