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Structures of the dopamine transporter point to ways to target addiction and disease

Three studies of the human dopamine transporter reveal how it binds to molecules such as dopamine and cocaine. Dopamine imbalances underlie some brain conditions and these data will aid targeted drug design.
  1. Harald H. Sitte

    1. Harald H. Sitte is at the Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria.

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Dopamine is a key neurotransmitter molecule that cells called dopaminergic neurons use to signal to each other across synapses — the interfaces between these cells. Writing in Nature, Srivastava et al.1, Nielsen et al.2 and Li et al.3 provide exciting structural insights into how a variety of molecules bind to the human dopamine transporter (DAT). The papers, which gathered evidence using a technique called cryo-electron microscopy, are consistent with each other regarding many aspects of the structures. These studies mark a key turning point for the development of targeted drugs to treat DAT-related conditions.

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doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-02435-0

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Competing Interests

The author declares no competing interests.

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