Vesicular glutamate transporter 3 (VGLUT3)

Vesicular glutamate transporter 3 (VGLUT3), encoded by the SLC17A8 gene, is a membrane protein responsible for transporting the neurotransmitter glutamate into synaptic vesicles at presynaptic nerve terminals of certain neurons. This process is essential for glutamate-mediated synaptic signaling, particularly in cells where VGLUT3 is selectively expressed. VGLUT3 is a member of the solute carrier (SLC) 17 family and utilizes the electrochemical proton gradient to drive glutamate transport. Mutations in the SLC17A8 gene cause autosomal dominant nonsyndromic deafness (DFNA25). Besides neural expression, VGLUT3 is found in some endocrine tissues; its full physiological roles outside the central nervous system are still being elucidated. While well-studied as a basic neuroscience research target and a genetic marker for some forms of hereditary hearing loss, there are currently no approved therapies specifically designed to modulate VGLUT3 function in clinical medicine[1][2][3][6].

Other names

SLC17A8VGluT3DFNA25Solute carrier family 17 member 8Solute carrier family 17 (vesicular glutamate transporter), member 8Vesicular glutamate transporter 3Solute carrier family 17 (sodium-dependent inorganic phosphate cotransporter), member 8Deafness, autosomal dominant 25

Not established for approved drugs; VGLUT3 is mainly the target of experimental ligands and tool compounds in neuroscience research