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Serotonin Transporter

Meaning

The Serotonin Transporter, also known as SERT or 5-HTT, is a critical transmembrane protein responsible for the reuptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin from the synaptic cleft back into the presynaptic neuron, thereby terminating its signaling activity. This protein plays a pivotal role in regulating the concentration and duration of serotonin’s action in the central nervous system, profoundly influencing mood, sleep, appetite, and hormonal secretion patterns. Genetic variations in the SERT gene can modulate an individual’s psychological and physiological responses to stress and endocrine fluctuations.