Localization of norepinephrine and serotonin transporter in mouse brain capillary endothelial cells

Neurosci Res. 2002 Oct;44(2):173-80. doi: 10.1016/s0168-0102(02)00120-7.

Abstract

Monoamines function as a vasoactive modulator in the central nervous system (CNS) and are believed to regulate blood-brain barrier (BBB) function. Although monoamine transport is an essential process for regulating the extracellular monoamine concentration, the transport systems for monoamines at the BBB are poorly understood. mRNA expression of norepinephrine transporter (NET) and serotonin transporter (SERT) has been detected in a conditionally immortalized mouse brain capillary endothelial cell line (TM-BBB4) used as an in vitro model of the BBB, whereas no dopamine transporter (DAT) was detected. Western blot analysis showed the expression of NET and SERT protein in the membrane fraction of mouse brain capillaries and TM-BBB4 cells. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that NET and SERT are localized at the brain capillaries in the mouse cerebral cortex, and suggests that NET is localized at the abluminal side of brain capillary endothelial cells, and SERT is localized at the luminal and abluminal sides. NET and SERT expressed at the BBB may be involved in the inactivation of monoamines released from neurons around the BBB.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biogenic Monoamines / metabolism*
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / physiology*
  • Brain / blood supply*
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Transformed
  • Dopamine / metabolism
  • Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Endothelium, Vascular / cytology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins*
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Norepinephrine / metabolism
  • Norepinephrine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Serotonin / metabolism
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Symporters / metabolism*

Substances

  • Biogenic Monoamines
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Norepinephrine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Slc6a2 protein, mouse
  • Slc6a3 protein, mouse
  • Slc6a4 protein, mouse
  • Symporters
  • Serotonin
  • Dopamine
  • Norepinephrine