SLC17A2: Proteins and Enzymes

An excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate is stored in synaptic vesicles. Excitatory neurons release glutamate by exocytosis into the synaptic cleft in response to neuronal stimulation. Members of the solute carrier family 17 are classified as vesicular glutamate transporters, which participate in the accumulation of glutamate in synaptic vesicles. SLC17A2/NPT3 is predominantly expressed in the heart and skeletal muscles, and weakly in the brain, placenta, lung, liver, and pancreas at the transcriptional level. In addition, SLC17A2/NPT3 mediates the transport of extracellular phosphates into chondrocytes of the growth-plate cartilages.