VGLUT 1-3 are very similar in structure and function, but are used by different neuronal populations. VGLUT3 is a glycosylated transmembrane protein with ten putative transmembrane domains (TMD I–X) and both amino- and carboxyl-termini located in the cytosol.nVGLUT3 is localized in a limited number of glutamatergic neurons in multiple brain regions: neocortex, hippocampus, olfactory bulb, hypothalamus, substania nigra and raphe nuclei. Additionally, VGLUT3 is expressed in a population of symmetrical synapses. It is detected in hippocampal and cortical GABAergic neurons, cholinergic neurons in the striatum and serotonergic neurons in the raphe nuclei.nMice lacking VGLUT3 are congenitally deaf due to loss of glutamate release at the inner hair cell afferent synapse. In addition loss of VGLUT3 specifically impairs mechanical pain sensation.