Sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporter 2 (SNAT2)

Sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporter 2 (SNAT2) is a member of the solute carrier family 38 (SLC38A2). It is a plasma membrane transporter that uses the sodium gradient to mediate the cellular uptake of small, neutral amino acids, including alanine, glutamine, serine, and others. SNAT2 plays a crucial role in nutrient uptake, neurotransmitter cycling (especially in the brain, as part of the glutamate–glutamine cycle), and adaptations to increased proliferative or metabolic demand (such as in cancer cells or during pregnancy in the mammary gland). The transporter is pharmacologically relevant as a potential drug delivery route and, indirectly, as a cancer and metabolic disease target. Modulation of SNAT2 impacts cellular amino acid pools and has downstream effects on cell growth and survival[1][2][3][4][7].

Other names

SLC38A2System A transporter 2solute carrier family 38 member 2SNAT2

Competitive inhibition (e.g., with MeAIB, a known SNAT inhibitor) Competitive substrate uptake (exploited by amino acid–mimetic prodrugs)