SLC6A5 / GLYT2 antibody

Background of SLC6A5 / GLYT2 antibody

Apart from its obvious biochemical functions, glycine is also an important inhibitory neurotransmitter. Following depolarization, glycine is released from syptic vesicles, binds to glycine receptors (GlyRs) on postsyptic membranes thereby causing hyperpolarization of postsyptic neurons due to the massive influx of Cl ions. Glycine is then taken up from the syptic cleft via the glycine transporters GlyT1 and GlyT2 . GlyT1 and GlyT2 belong to the SLC6, +/Cl dependent transporter family, of which members include transporters for GABA, serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. Like all SLC6 members, GlyT1 and GlyT2 have 12 transmembrane domains and intracellular N- and C-termils. Both can be found in different splice variants. SLC6 transporters undergo post-translatiol modifications. For instance, GlyT1 and GlyT2 are glycosylated, which is important for their membrane trafficking. Phosphorylation of these two transporters also takes place in a PKC-dependent manner, which may lead to down regulation of both transporters. Pharmacologically, GlyT1 and GlyT2 can be differentiated by applying sarcosine which inhibits GlyT1 but not GlyT2 . GlyT1 and GlyT2 are broadly expressed in the nervous system; GlyT1 is concentrated in glial cells, while GlyT2 is present in glycenergic neurons in the spil cord, brainstem and cerebellum. GlyT1 can also be detected in the pancreas, uterus, stomach, spleen, liver and reti. GlyT1 has become a target for the treatment of schizophrenia, although a defect of the protein is not directly associated with the disorder. Inhibiting GlyT1 should lead to the increase in glutamatergic pathways, thereby decreasing psychotic effects in schizophrenic individuals. GlyT2 has been associated with hyperekplexia, a motor disorder characterized by neotal hypertonia and startle reflex.