The vesicular glutamate transporter 2 VGLUT2, also referred to as DNPI and SLC17A6, has a more restricted expression than the related VGLUT1. Like VGLUT1, it is both necessary and sufficient for uptake and storage of glutamate and thus comprises the sole determinant for a glutamatergic phenotype. Both VGLUTs are different from the plasma membrane transporters in that they are driven by a proton electrochemical gradient across the vesicle membrane.
VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 show complementary expression patterns. Together, they are currently the best markers for glutamatergic nerve terminals and glutamatergic synapses.