Solute carrier family 44 member 1 (SLC44A1)

Solute carrier family 44 member 1 (SLC44A1), also known as choline transporter-like protein 1 (CTL1), is a membrane transporter responsible for the sodium-independent transmembrane uptake of choline and ethanolamine. It is expressed ubiquitously across human tissues—including plasma membranes and mitochondria—and is essential for metabolic pathways such as phosphatidylcholine, betaine, and acetylcholine synthesis. SLC44A1 function is critical for maintaining membrane lipid homeostasis, supporting the synthesis of neurotransmitters in neurons, and ensuring adequate choline supply during development, cell differentiation, H1 and rapid cell proliferation (e.g., in cancer). Inhibition of SLC44A1 with the compound hemicholinium-3 (HC-3) is used experimentally to block choline uptake. Genetic alterations—such as SLC44A1-PRKCA gene fusion in papillary glioneuronal tumor—and loss-of-function mutations have clinical consequence, linking SLC44A1 to roles in various diseases including cancers, neurodegenerative disorders, and metabolic or developmental syndromes[1][2][3][4].

Other names

Choline transporter-like protein 1CTL1CD92CDW92CHTL1CONATOCCDw92 antigen

Inhibition of choline uptake through competitive blockade of the transporter