Sodium-dependent neutral amino acid transporter 2 (SNAT2)

Sodium-dependent neutral amino acid transporter 2 (SNAT2), encoded by the SLC38A2 gene, is a multi-pass membrane protein that functions as a symporter, moving small neutral amino acids like glutamine, alanine, and serine into cells alongside sodium ions (UniProt: Q96QD8). It is a key member of the System A transport family and is uniquely characterized by its high inducibility under conditions of amino acid deprivation and cellular stress (NCBI Gene: 54407). Beyond its transport function, SNAT2 acts as a nutrient sensor or transceptor, directly activating the mTORC1 signaling pathway to coordinate protein synthesis with nutrient availability (PubMed: 26437364). In oncology, SNAT2 is frequently upregulated in various malignancies, such as breast and prostate cancers, where it facilitates the increased glutamine demand required for rapid tumor growth and survival (PubMed: 30655306). Because of its central role in cancer metabolism and its ability to transport certain cytotoxic drugs like melphalan, SNAT2 is a significant target for both metabolic inhibition strategies and prodrug delivery (PubMed: 28842555).

Other names

SLC38A2Solute carrier family 38 member 2System A amino acid transporter 2ATA2SAT2Amino acid transporter A2

Competitive inhibition of small neutral amino acid uptake (primarily glutamine and alanine) to induce metabolic stress and inhibit mTORC1-mediated growth signaling.