Sodium-dependent neutral amino acid transporter B(0)AT2 (SLC6A15)

Sodium-dependent neutral amino acid transporter B(0)AT2 (SLC6A15) is a membrane protein that mediates the sodium-dependent transport of neutral amino acids, preferentially branched-chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, valine) and proline, into neurons and glial cells[1][2][3][4][5]. It is mainly expressed in the brain, where it supplies neurons with neurotransmitter precursors critical for glutamate biosynthesis and broader neurotransmitter homeostasis. Variants in the SLC6A15 gene are linked with psychiatric conditions, most notably major depressive disorder, and its expression is associated with brain region volume changes relevant to disease. SLC6A15 is structurally related to other neurotransmitter transporters within the SLC6 family, featuring 12 transmembrane domains. Recent data indicate that tiagabine, an anticonvulsant, can inhibit SLC6A15, suggesting possible avenues for therapeutic targeting in neuropsychiatric and neurologic disease[4].

Other names

Solute carrier family 6 member 15B0AT2NTT73SBAT1Hv7-3V7-3Sodium- and chloride-dependent neurotransmitter transporter NTT73Sodium-coupled branched-chain amino-acid transporter 1Transporter v7-3FLJ10316Homolog of rat orphan transporter v7-3Orphan sodium- and chloride-dependent neurotransmitter transporter NTT73Orphan transporter v7-3

Inhibition of transporter-mediated uptake of neutral amino acids (including branched-chain amino acids and proline) into neurons, indirectly affecting neurotransmitter synthesis (such as glutamate biosynthesis)[4].