Neurotransmitter transporters synthesis and degradation rates.

The synthesis rate, half-life and degradation rate constant of dopamine and serotonin transporter proteins have been determined using RTI-76, an irreversible inhibitor of ligand binding at transporters, and a model assuming that synthesis rate is zero order and degradation rate is a first order process. The half-lives of transporter recovery after inactivation with RTI-76 are approximately 2-3 days, which are similar to those for other synaptic proteins.