Co-expression studies of the orphan carrier protein Slc10a4 and the vesicular carriers VAChT and VMAT2 in the rat central and peripheral nervous system

The orphan carrier protein Slc10a4 represents a novel member of the so-called “sodium-bile acid co-transporter family,” SLC10. Slc10a4 has a close phylogenetic relationship with the liver bile acid carrier Ntcp (Slc10a1), but has no transport activity for bile acids. In a previous study Slc10a4 proved to be predominantly expressed in the rat brain, where it was localized within cholinergic neurons. However, whether this cholinergic expression pattern was exclusive for Slc10a4 and whether this protein might also be expressed in the peripheral nervous system or other peripheral organs, remained unclear. Therefore, in the present study we analyzed the expression of Slc10a4 in neuronal and non-neuronal rat tissues more systematically, employing immunofluorescence co-localization studies of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter VAChT and the vesicular monoamine transporter VMAT2. The Slc10a4 protein was found to be widely expressed throughout structures of the CNS and peripheral nervous system. In addition to cholinergic neurons in the CNS, the retina, the neuromuscular junction and parasympathetic innervations, Slc10a4 was also localized in certain monoaminergic neurons and nerve fibers in the substantia nigra, the spinal cord and sympathetic innervations. Slc10a4 expression was also detected in granules of rat peritoneal and tissue mast cells using immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. Western blot and immunoprecipitation experiments with rat brain vesicle preparations revealed that the Slc10a4 protein was expressed in synaptic vesicles where it co-localized with synaptophysin, VAChT and VMAT2. This vesicular expression pattern was also shown in the rat adrenal pheochromocytoma cell line PC12 by immunofluorescence. Based on the findings of the present study we can speculate about the function of Slc10a4 as follows: (I) Slc10a4 could be a novel vesicular transporter for cholinergic and/or various monoaminergic neurotransmitters in the central and peripheral nervous system or (II) may be involved in the regulation of the synaptic vesicle sorting or exocytosis process.

▶Slc10a4 is predominantly expressed in cholinergic neurons. ▶Slc10a4 is also localized in certain monoaminergic neurons, for example, in the substantia nigra. ▶Slc10a4 is expressed in synaptic vesicles and mast cell granules. ▶Slc10a4 is a novel neurotransmitter transporter candidate.