NEW FAMILY OF AMINO ACID NEUROTRANSMITTER TRANSPORTERS

Synaptic transmission in the central and peripheral nervous system involves the regulated release from presynaptic terminals of vesicles filled with neurotransmitter. Classical transmitters are synthesized in the cytoplasm, requiring their transport into synaptic vesicles. However, the proteins responsible for packaging of the neurotransmitters have not been identified.

A group at UCSF has identified a family of human neuronal amino acid neurotransmitter transporters that affect loading of synaptic vesicles. These proteins are different from known monoamine or cholinergic transporters and define a new family of human vesicular transporter proteins. They could be useful targets to identify drugs that affect amino acid neurotransmitters (e.g. GABA), via vesicular regulatory mechanisms, a therapeutic area heretofore inaccessible.

If you would like to receive further information about this technology and potential licensing opportunities, please contact:

Joel B. Kirschbaum, Ph.D.
Director & Senior Technology Portfolio Manager
(415) 353-4462 phone
(415) 348-1579 fax
Joel Kirschbaum, Ph.D.

Reference: OTM Case #SF97-159