Monoamine transporters (
MATs) are
protein structures that function as integral
plasma-membrane transporters to regulate concentrations of extracellular
monoamine neurotransmitters. Three major classes of MATs (SERT, DAT, NET) are responsible for the reuptake of their associated amine neurotransmitters (
serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine). MATs are located just outside the synaptic cleft (peri-synaptically), transporting monoamine transmitter overflow from the synaptic cleft back to the cytoplasm of the pre-synaptic neuron. MAT regulation generally occurs through
phosphorylation and
posttranslational modification. Due to their significance in neuronal signaling, MATs are commonly associated with
drugs used to
treat mental disorders as well as
recreational drugs, a line that can become quite blurred in many cases. Compounds targeting MATs range from medications such as the wide variety of
tricyclic antidepressants,
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as
fluoxetine (Prozac) to
stimulant medications such as
methylphenidate (Ritalin) and
amphetamine in its many forms (Adderall, Dexedrine)) and derivatives
methamphetamine (Desoxyn) and
lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Furthermore, drugs such as
MDMA ("ecstasy", "molly") and natural alkaloids such as
cocaine exert their effects in a large part by their interaction with MATs, by keeping the transporters from mopping up the dopamine.