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Review

Nature Reviews Neuroscience 4, 13–25 (1 January 2003) | doi:10.1038/nrn1008

Plasma membrane monoamine transporters: structure, regulation and function

Gonzalo E. Torres , Raul R. Gainetdinov & Marc G. Caron

The classical biogenic amine neurotransmitters — dopamine, noradrenaline, and 5-hydroxytryptamine — control a variety of functions including locomotion, autonomic function, hormone secretion, and the complex behaviours that are associated with affect, emotion and reward. A key step that determines the intensity and duration of monoamine signalling at synapses is the reuptake of the released transmitter into nerve terminals through high-affinity plasma membrane transporters. In recent years, molecular, pharmacological and genetic approaches have established the importance of monoamine transporters in the control of monoamine homeostasis and have provided insights into their regulation.