Enables cation binding activity; integrin binding activity; and secondary active transmembrane transporter activity. Involved in regulation of thalamus size; response to toxic substance; and serotonin uptake. Acts upstream of or within monoamine transport. Located in endomembrane system; membrane raft; and plasma membrane. Implicated in several diseases, including alcohol dependence; anxiety disorder (multiple); depressive disorder (multiple); heart disease (multiple); and substance abuse (multiple). Biomarker of brain disease; chronic fatigue syndrome; diverticulitis; and leishmaniasis.
RGD Description
This gene encodes an integral membrane protein that transports the neurotransmitter serotonin from synaptic spaces into presynaptic neurons. The encoded protein terminates the action of serotonin and recycles it in a sodium-dependent manner. This protein is a target of psychomotor stimulants, such as amphetamines and cocaine, and is a member of the sodium:neurotransmitter symporter family. A repeat length polymorphism in the promoter of this gene has been shown to affect the rate of serotonin uptake. There have been conflicting results in the literature about the possible effect, if any, that this polymorphism may play in behavior and depression. [provided by RefSeq, May 2019]