Synaptic vesicle of dopaminergic neuron

Synaptic vesicles of dopaminergic neurons are small, membrane-bound organelles located in the axon terminals of dopamine-producing neurons. They act as storage reservoirs for dopamine, which is accumulated within vesicles chiefly through VMAT2. Upon arrival of an action potential and subsequent calcium influx, SNARE proteins mediate vesicle fusion with the presynaptic membrane, leading to exocytotic release of dopamine into the synaptic cleft. Dysregulation of vesicular dopamine cycling is linked to the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases such as Parkinson’s disease. Although the vesicle itself is not a direct molecular target for drug development, its constituent proteins, such as VMAT2, are established pharmacological targets[1][2][3][5][7].

Other names

Dopaminergic synaptic vesicleDopamine storage vesiclePresynaptic dopamine vesicle

Not direct. Mechanisms relevant to vesicle function include: Inhibition of VMAT2 (depletes vesicular dopamine, as with tetrabenazine); Promotion of vesicle release or inhibition of dopamine reuptake (as with amphetamines or cocaine).