Sodium-dependent serotonin transporter (Rattus norvegicus) (SERT)

The Sodium-dependent serotonin transporter (SERT), specifically the Rattus norvegicus ortholog, is a member of the solute carrier family 6 (SLC6) and plays a critical role in regulating serotonergic neurotransmission (UniProt P31652). It functions by transporting serotonin (5-HT) from the extracellular space back into the presynaptic terminal, utilizing the electrochemical gradient of sodium and chloride ions (NCBI Gene 25553). This reuptake mechanism is the principal means of terminating the action of serotonin at the synapse, thereby influencing mood, sleep, appetite, and cognition (PubMed 1550558). In pharmacological research, the rat SERT is a primary model for studying the binding kinetics and efficacy of antidepressants, such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine and sertraline (StatPearls NBK532290). Dysfunctional serotonin transport is linked to the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, making SERT one of the most significant targets in neuropsychiatry (PubMed 10446301). Additionally, SERT is expressed in non-neuronal tissues such as blood platelets and the enteric nervous system, where it modulates peripheral serotonin levels (PubMed 11518344).

Other names

5-HTT5-hydroxytryptamine transporterSolute carrier family 6 member 4Slc6a4HTT

Inhibition of serotonin reuptake from the synaptic cleft into the presynaptic neuron, thereby increasing extracellular serotonin concentrations and prolonging serotonergic signaling (StatPearls NBK532290).