Editing Serotonin transporter (section)

== Function ==
The serotonin transporter removes serotonin from the synaptic cleft back into the synaptic [[Chemical synapse#bouton|bouton]]s. Thus, it terminates the effects of serotonin and simultaneously enables its reuse by the [[presynaptic neuron]].<ref name="Squire2008" />

Neurons communicate by using chemical messengers like serotonin between cells. The [[Membrane transport protein|transporter protein]], by recycling serotonin, regulates its concentration in a gap, or [[synapse]], and thus its effects on a receiving neuron's [[receptor (biochemistry)|receptors]].

Medical studies have shown that changes in serotonin transporter metabolism appear to be associated with many different phenomena, including [[alcoholism]], [[clinical depression]], [[obsessive–compulsive disorder]] (OCD), [[romantic love]],<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Marazziti D, Akiskal HS, Rossi A, Cassano GB | title = Alteration of the platelet serotonin transporter in romantic love | journal = Psychological Medicine | volume = 29 | issue = 3 | pages = 741–745 | date = May 1999 | pmid = 10405096 | doi = 10.1017/S0033291798007946 | s2cid = 12630172 }}</ref> [[hypertension]] and [[social anxiety disorder|generalized social phobia]].<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = van der Wee NJ, van Veen JF, Stevens H, van Vliet IM, van Rijk PP, Westenberg HG | title = Increased serotonin and dopamine transporter binding in psychotropic medication-naive patients with generalized social anxiety disorder shown by 123I-beta-(4-iodophenyl)-tropane SPECT | journal = Journal of Nuclear Medicine | volume = 49 | issue = 5 | pages = 757–763 | date = May 2008 | pmid = 18413401 | doi = 10.2967/jnumed.107.045518 | doi-access = free }}</ref>

The serotonin transporter is also present in [[platelet]]s; there, serotonin functions as a [[vasoconstrictive]] substance. It also serves as a signalling molecule to induce platelet aggregation.

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 Image:Serotonin-2D-skeletal.svg|[[Serotonin]]
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