Synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) (SV2A)

Synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) is a 12-transmembrane protein found in the membranes of synaptic vesicles throughout the central nervous system [6, 13]. It belongs to the SV2 family, which also includes the isoforms SV2B and SV2C [6, 14]. SV2A plays a critical role in regulating neurotransmitter release by modulating vesicle priming and fusion with the presynaptic membrane, particularly during periods of high-frequency neuronal activity [4, 19]. It is the primary molecular target for several antiepileptic drugs, including levetiracetam and brivaracetam, which exert their effects by binding to SV2A and reducing the release of excitatory neurotransmitters like glutamate [7, 15]. Beyond epilepsy, SV2A is increasingly recognized as a key biomarker for synaptic density, with PET imaging ligands like [11C]UCB-J being used to monitor synaptic loss in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's [1, 2, 8]. Additionally, SV2 proteins serve as receptors for botulinum and tetanus neurotoxins, facilitating their entry into neurons [6, 13, 22].

Other names

Synaptic vesicle protein 2ASV2ASV2BSV2CSynaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2 familySLC22B1

Modulation of synaptic vesicle fusion and neurotransmitter release by binding to SV2A, which reduces the release of excitatory neurotransmitters like glutamate during high-frequency neuronal firing [4, 7, 9].