Solute carrier family 4 member 11 (SLC4A11) (SLC4A11)

Solute carrier family 4 member 11 (SLC4A11), widely known as the sodium-coupled borate cotransporter 1 (NaBC1), is a multi-pass transmembrane protein essential for maintaining the physiological state of specialized tissues such as the cornea and the inner ear. Although its role as a primary borate transporter remains a subject of ongoing research, SLC4A11 is established as a conductor of protons (H+), hydroxyl ions (OH-), and possibly ammonia (NH3), which are critical for intracellular pH regulation and osmotic balance. In the corneal endothelium, SLC4A11 functions as part of a metabolic pump that keeps the corneal stroma dehydrated, thereby preserving its transparency. Mutations in the gene encoding SLC4A11 lead to debilitating disorders including congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED) and Harboyan syndrome, the latter of which involves both visual loss and progressive sensorineural deafness. While there are currently no FDA-approved drugs that specifically target SLC4A11, it is a significant focus of therapeutic development, particularly through the use of chemical chaperones to rescue protein folding in dystrophic conditions and gene replacement strategies.

Other names

Sodium-coupled borate cotransporter 1NaBC1BCTR1Borate transporterBicarbonate transporter-related protein 1

SLC4A11 facilitates the electrogenic transport of borate and the flux of protons (H+) or hydroxyl ions (OH-) across the plasma membrane, maintaining the osmotic balance and pH necessary for cellular health and tissue transparency.