Large neutral amino acid transporter 2 (LAT2) (LAT2)

Large neutral amino acid transporter 2 (LAT2), encoded by the SLC7A8 gene, is a sodium-independent transporter that mediates the exchange of a broad range of neutral amino acids across the plasma membrane. It functions as a heterodimer with the glycoprotein CD98 (SLC3A2) and is primarily localized to the basolateral membrane of polarized epithelial cells in the kidney and small intestine, where it facilitates the efflux of amino acids into the bloodstream (UniProt: P52569). Beyond its role in nutrient absorption and renal reabsorption, LAT2 is involved in the transport of thyroid hormones and certain drugs like L-DOPA (PubMed: 11311135). Dysregulation of LAT2 has been implicated in age-related hearing loss and various cancers, where it supports the increased metabolic demands of proliferating cells (PubMed: 29650934). While LAT1 is a more common oncology target, LAT2 is increasingly recognized for its role in metabolic homeostasis and as a potential target for modulating amino acid availability in specific tissues (PubMed: 30554327).

Other names

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

Inhibition of the sodium-independent exchange of neutral amino acids across the plasma membrane, thereby reducing the availability of essential amino acids for cellular metabolism or preventing the efflux of amino acids from epithelial cells into the circulation (PubMed: 10391915).