Solute carrier family 38 member 6 (SLC38A6)

Solute carrier family 38 member 6 (SLC38A6), also known as SNAT6 or NAT-1, is a probable sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporter belonging to the SLC38 family. It is a transmembrane protein primarily found in the synaptic membranes of excitatory neurons in the brain and is not expressed in astrocytes[1][5]. The transporter is thought to be involved in the glutamate-glutamine cycle, supporting neurotransmitter balance and preventing excitotoxicity[1][2][5]. While closely related to other SLC38 family transporters, the exact substrate profile of SLC38A6 remains to be fully determined, though it exhibits a preference for L-glutamine and L-glutamate[2][4]. No direct disease associations or pharmacologically targeted drugs are currently documented for SLC38A6. Its role in maintaining neurotransmitter cycling highlights its potential relevance in neurobiology and disease, though functional and mechanistic data remain incomplete[1][5].

Other names

NAT-1SNAT6N-system amino acid transporter 1Sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporter 6Amino acid transporter SLC38A6Probable sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporter 6