L-type amino acid transporter and Sodium-dependent neutral amino acid transporter system B(0) (LAT/B0AT)

The L-type amino acid transporters (primarily LAT1/SLC7A5) and the Na+-dependent system B0 (primarily B0AT1/SLC6A19) are critical solute carriers responsible for the transport of neutral amino acids across cellular membranes. LAT1 is a sodium-independent exchanger that is frequently overexpressed in various cancers to support the high metabolic demands of proliferating cells by importing essential amino acids like leucine, which in turn activates the mTORC1 pathway. In contrast, B0AT1 is a sodium-dependent symporter mainly expressed in the kidney and intestine, playing a vital role in the systemic absorption and reabsorption of neutral amino acids. While both systems are essential for nutrient homeostasis, LAT1 is a prominent oncology target for inhibiting tumor growth, whereas B0AT1 is investigated in the context of metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. This combined entry is considered 'incorrect' as a single canonical target because it merges two distinct transport systems with different driving forces and physiological roles.

Other names

System L amino acid transportersSystem B(0) amino acid transportersSLC7A5SLC6A19Large neutral amino acids transporterB(0)AT1

Inhibition of amino acid uptake to deplete essential nutrients in cancer cells or modulation of systemic amino acid homeostasis.