Large neutral amino acids transporter small subunit 2 (LAT2)

Large neutral amino acids transporter small subunit 2 (LAT2), encoded by the SLC7A8 gene, is a sodium-independent transporter that mediates the exchange of a broad range of small and large neutral amino acids across cellular membranes (UniProt Q9UHI5). It functions as a heterodimer, consisting of a light chain (LAT2) covalently linked via a disulfide bond to the heavy chain glycoprotein CD98hc (SLC3A2) (PubMed: 10548531). LAT2 is primarily localized to the basolateral membranes of polarized epithelial cells in the kidney and small intestine, where it facilitates the efflux of amino acids into the bloodstream, playing a vital role in nutrient absorption and systemic homeostasis (NCBI Gene: 11128). In oncology, LAT2 is often upregulated in various cancers to meet the increased metabolic demands of proliferating cells, making it a potential target for metabolic inhibition (PubMed: 25858256). Furthermore, mutations in SLC7A8 have been clinically linked to age-related hearing loss, underscoring its physiological importance in the inner ear (PubMed: 24651015). The transporter also serves as a pathway for the cellular uptake of several important drugs, including L-DOPA and gabapentin, which influences their bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy.

Other names

SLC7A8L-type amino acid transporter 2Solute carrier family 7 member 8Small neutral amino acids transporter

Competitive inhibition of neutral amino acid transport across the plasma membrane