Vesicular Glutamate Transporter 1 (VGLUT1)

SLC17A7 is a vesicle-bound, sodium-dependent phosphate transporter that is specifically expressed in the neuron-rich regions of the brain. It is preferentially associated with the membranes of synaptic vesicles and functions in glutamate transport. The protein shares 82% identity with the differentiation-associated Na-dependent inorganic phosphate cotransporter and they appear to form a distinct class within the Na+/Pi cotransporter family.Expressed in several regions of the brain including amygdala, cerebellum, cerebral cortex, hippocampus, frontal lobe, medulla, occipital lobe, putamen and temporal lobe.Mediates the uptake of glutamate into synaptic vesicles at presynaptic nerve terminals of excitatory neural cells. May also mediate the transport of inorganic phosphate.