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Classical Radioligand Uptake and Binding Methods in Transporter Research: An Emphasis on the Monoamine Neurotransmitter Transporters

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Neurotransmitter Transporters

Part of the book series: Neuromethods ((NM,volume 118))

Abstract

Radioligand uptake and binding assays denote an invaluable tool in the field of neurotransmitter transporter research. Their benefits have been evident since the late 1950s, and they continue to contribute major insights into transporter function and structure to date. In the current chapter, we focus primarily on the family of monoamine (MA) neurotransmitter transporters (MATs), i.e., transporters (T) for norepinephrine [noradrenaline] (NET), dopamine (DAT), and serotonin [5-hydroxy tryptamine, 5-HT] (SERT), dysfunction of which has been linked to numerous neuropsychiatric disorders and substance abuse. Radiotracer assays have provided a major way of elucidating the mechanisms of action of not only endogenous substrates (e.g., NE, SER, and DA), but also many diverse substances such as antidepressants (e.g., imipramine and citalopram), psychostimulants (e.g., amphetamine and cocaine), toxins (e.g., conotoxins), or neurotoxins (e.g., 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium, MPP+) that exert their action on MATs. In this chapter we describe the basic principles and experimental procedures of radiotracer assays commonly used in the studies of MATs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Pharmacology, Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Währingerstrasse 13A, 1090, Vienna, Austria

    Sonja Sucic

  2. Biomedical Center, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Strasse 25, 53105, Bonn, Germany

    Heinz Bönisch

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  1. Sonja Sucic
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  2. Heinz Bönisch
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Correspondence to Sonja Sucic .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Biomedical Center Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany

    Heinz Bönisch

  2. Center of Physiology and Pharmacology Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    Harald H. Sitte

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Sucic, S., Bönisch, H. (2016). Classical Radioligand Uptake and Binding Methods in Transporter Research: An Emphasis on the Monoamine Neurotransmitter Transporters. In: Bönisch, H., Sitte, H. (eds) Neurotransmitter Transporters. Neuromethods, vol 118. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-3765-3_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-3765-3_1

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