High-affinity choline transporter (solute carrier family 5 member 7) (CHT or SLC5A7)

The high-affinity choline transporter (SLC5A7, CHT) is a sodium- and chloride-dependent plasma membrane transporter essential for the uptake of choline into presynaptic terminals of cholinergic neurons, where it serves as the rate-limiting step for the synthesis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Inhibition of this transporter disrupts cholinergic signaling, leading to deficits in autonomic, cognitive, and motor pathways. Mutations in the transporter are associated with hereditary motor neuropathies, and pharmacological modulation influences acetylcholine-dependent neurological processes. Some neurotoxins and small molecules (e.g., hemicholinium-3, ML352) act as inhibitors, whereas compounds such as coluracetam function as enhancers. There is currently no evidence for a distinct molecular entity called “NMDA-modulated Choline Transporter.” Instead, there is evidence of interaction between cholinergic and NMDA receptor systems at the circuit/neurotransmitter modulation level, but not as a single molecular target or transporter that is directly modulated by NMDA receptors. The confusion may arise from cross-talk in neural circuits where both acetylcholine and NMDA/glutamate signaling converge on neuronal populations, but each is mediated by its own established proteins and receptors. If more specific context or new empirical evidence is available for a transporter with dual properties, that would require new scientific validation.

Other names

SLC5A7CHTCHT1HMN7AhCHTsolute carrier family 5 member 7CMS20

Inhibition of choline uptake (Hemicholinium-3, ML352); Enhancement of choline uptake (Coluracetam)