Amino acid transporter (Peptide transporter for peptide-specific families) (Often abbreviated as AAT for amino acid transporter, PepT for peptide transporter, and SLC followed by family number for specific genes (e.g., SLC1A5 for ASCT2))

Amino acid and peptide transporters are membrane proteins critical for moving amino acids (single units) and peptides (short chains) across cell membranes. They belong primarily to the solute carrier (SLC) families and facilitate transport through active (energy-dependent) or passive (facilitated) mechanisms. These transporters are widely expressed in tissues such as the intestine, kidney, brain, and immune cells, playing a central role in nutrient absorption, control of neurotransmitter levels, immune cell function, and cellular metabolism. Multiple transporter subtypes exist, each with distinct substrate specificities (neutral, basic, acidic amino acids, or peptides). Dysregulation or mutation in these transporters can contribute to various diseases, and several are therapeutic targets, especially in cancer, neurology, and metabolism

Other names

Solute carrier family (SLC family)Neutral amino acid transporter (e.g., ASCT2)Cationic amino acid transporter (e.g., CAT)Proton-coupled oligopeptide transporter (e.g., PepT1, PepT2)System A, System L, System N transporterSodium-coupled amino acid transporterLAT1, ASCT1, ASCT2, GAT-1

Competitive inhibition of substrate binding, Substrate mimetic transport blockers, Modulation of transport activity (allosteric regulation), Transport-mediated prodrug uptake and activation