Dopamine Transporter

Dopamine transporter (DAT) is a plasma membrane protein that mediates the reuptake of extracellular dopamine (DA) and controls the spatiotemporal dynamics of dopaminergic neurotransmission. DATs play a key role in terminating dopaminergic signalling and in maintaining a releasable pool of dopamine. DATs help to modulate the concentration of extraneuronal dopamine by actively shuttling released transmitter molecules back across the plasma membrane into dopaminergic neurons, where they can be sequestered for later reuse or enzymatic catabolism.

DAT is a principle target of various psychostimulant, nootropic, and antidepressant drugs, as well as certain drugs used recreationally, including the notoriously addictive stimulant cocaine. DAT ligands have traditionally been divided into two categories: cocaine-like inhibitors and amphetamine-like substrates. DAT is regulated by multiple signaling systems, such as PKC.