Editing Vesicular monoamine transporter (section)

{{Short description|Family of transport proteins}}
{{cs1 config|name-list-style=vanc}}
{{redirect|VMAT|Volumetric modulated arc therapy|Radiation therapy#Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT)}}
{{lead too short|date=May 2013}}

The '''vesicular monoamine transporter''' (VMAT) is a [[transport protein]] integrated into the membranes of [[synaptic vesicle]]s of [[synapse|presynaptic neurons]]. It transports [[monoamine]] neurotransmitters – such as [[dopamine]], [[serotonin]], [[norepinephrine]], [[epinephrine]], and [[histamine]] – into the [[Vesicle (biology and chemistry)|vesicles]], which release the [[neurotransmitter]]s into synapses, as chemical messages to postsynaptic neurons. VMATs utilize a [[Electrochemical gradient|proton gradient]] generated by [[V-ATPase]]s in vesicle membranes to power monoamine import.

Pharmaceutical drugs that target VMATs have possible applications for many conditions, leading to a plethora of biological research, including [[hypertension]], [[Drug-addiction|drug addiction]], psychiatric disorders, [[Parkinson's disease]], and other neurological disorders. Many drugs that target VMATs act as inhibitors and alter the kinetics of the protein. Much research regarding the effects of altered VMATs on biological systems is still ongoing.