Sodium-dependent neutral amino acid transporter SLC6A15 (B0AT2)

Sodium-dependent neutral amino acid transporter SLC6A15, commonly referred to as B0AT2, is a transport protein belonging to the solute carrier family 6 (SLC6) that mediates the uptake of neutral amino acids, including proline, leucine, isoleucine, and valine, into neurons (UniProt Q9H2J7). It is highly expressed in the mammalian brain, particularly in the hippocampus, where it plays a vital role in maintaining the supply of amino acids required for protein synthesis and the regulation of neurotransmitter precursors (PubMed: 21516103). B0AT2 has been identified as a significant genetic risk factor for major depressive disorder (MDD), with reduced expression levels correlating with increased stress susceptibility and structural changes in the brain (PubMed: 28439104). While there are currently no FDA-approved drugs that specifically target B0AT2, it is viewed as a promising novel target for antidepressant therapy due to its involvement in glutamatergic signaling and its specific localization in mood-regulating brain regions (PubMed: 25130308). Modulating the activity of this transporter could offer a new mechanism for treating mood disorders by restoring amino acid balance and enhancing synaptic plasticity.

Other names

SLC6A15B(0)AT2NTT7V7-3SBAT1Orphan sodium- and chloride-dependent neurotransmitter transporter NTT7

Modulation of neutral amino acid uptake to regulate neurotransmitter precursors and synaptic function