Serotonin Transporter
The serotonin transporter (SERT) is a key protein that regulates the reuptake of serotonin from the synaptic cleft back into the presynaptic neuron. This process is vital for controlling the duration and intensity of serotonin signaling, which influences mood, appetite, sleep, and cognition. SERT is the primary target of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a class of antidepressants that block this transporter to increase serotonin availability in the brain, thereby enhancing mood and alleviating depression. Due to its crucial role in serotonin regulation, SERT is also implicated in anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder, making it a significant focus for psychiatric and neurological research.