Synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) is a transmembrane

protein Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residue (biochemistry), residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including Enzyme catalysis, catalysing metab ...

belonging to a family of keratan sulfate

proteoglycans Proteoglycans are proteins that are heavily glycosylation, glycosylated. The basic proteoglycan unit consists of a "core protein" with one or more covalent bond, covalently attached glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chain(s). The point of attachment is a ...

, located on the

synaptic vesicles In a neuron, synaptic vesicles (or neurotransmitter vesicles) store various neurotransmitters that are released at the synapse. The release is regulated by a voltage-dependent calcium channel. Vesicles are essential for propagating nerve impul ...

of mammalian neuronal and endocrine cells. It's encoded by the ''SV2A''

gene In biology, the word gene has two meanings. The Mendelian gene is a basic unit of heredity. The molecular gene is a sequence of nucleotides in DNA that is transcribed to produce a functional RNA. There are two types of molecular genes: protei ...

. SV2A is the most widely expressed isoform of the SV2 family (which also includes the

SV2B Synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2B is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''SV2B'' gene. See also * SV2A Synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) is a transmembrane protein belonging to a family of keratan sulfate Proteoglycan, proteoglycan ...

and SV2C proteins) found in all brain regions. The role of the SV2 proteins is not well understood, however they are thought to be involved in regulating vesicular processes. The SV2A protein is a target of the anti-epileptic drugs (

anticonvulsant Anticonvulsants (also known as antiepileptic drugs, antiseizure drugs, or anti-seizure medications (ASM)) are a diverse group of pharmacological agents used in the treatment of epileptic seizures. Anticonvulsants are also used in the treatme ...

levetiracetam Levetiracetam, sold under the brand name Keppra among others, is a novel antiepileptic drug. (medication) used to treat epilepsy. It is used for Focal seizure, partial-onset, Myoclonic epilepsy, myoclonic, or tonic–clonic seizures, and is ta ...

and

brivaracetam Brivaracetam, sold under the brand name Briviact among others, is a chemical analog of levetiracetam, a racetam derivative with anticonvulsant (antiepileptic) properties. It has been approved since 2016. It is marketed by the pharmaceutical co ...

but it is not clear how these drug affect SV2A activity.

Localisation

SV2A is differentially expressed in both inhibitory

GABA GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid, γ-aminobutyric acid) is the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the developmentally mature mammalian central nervous system. Its principal role is reducing neuronal excitability throughout the nervous system. GA ...

ergic and excitatory

glutamatergic Glutamatergic means "related to glutamate". A glutamatergic agent (or drug) is a chemical that directly modulates the excitatory amino acid (glutamate/aspartate) system in the body or brain. Examples include excitatory amino acid receptor agonist ...

terminals however it is not expressed in all synapses as was previously thought. There is a slightly stronger colocalisation between SV2A and

than

glutamate Glutamic acid (symbol Glu or E; known as glutamate in its anionic form) is an α-amino acid that is used by almost all living beings in the biosynthesis of proteins. It is a Essential amino acid, non-essential nutrient for humans, meaning that ...

and the association differs across brain regions and changes with developmental stages.

SV2A PET

Several

PET A pet, or companion animal, is an animal kept primarily for a person's company or entertainment rather than as a working animal, livestock, or a laboratory animal. Popular pets are often considered to have attractive/ cute appearances, inte ...

radiotracers targeting SV2A have been developed, allowing for measuring SV2A density in-vivo: 1CEV, 1C UCB-A, 1CUCB-H, 8FCB-J, 8Fyn-VesT-1, 8Fyn-VesT-2, and 8FDM-16. SV2A density has been used as a proxy for measuring in vivo synaptic density.

References

External links

* {{PDBe-KB2, Q7L0J3, Synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A

Localisation

SV2A PET

See also

References

Further reading

External links