Solute carrier family 41 member 1 (SLC41A1)

Solute carrier family 41 member 1 (SLC41A1) is a eukaryotic magnesium transporter protein that belongs to the solute carrier (SLC) family 41 and is a vertebrate homolog of the prokaryotic MgtE magnesium transporters. It primarily functions as a Na⁺/Mg²⁺ exchanger on the plasma membrane, regulating magnesium efflux and cellular magnesium homeostasis. SLC41A1 is expressed most highly in the heart and testis, with lower expression in skeletal muscle and various tissues. It is involved in controlling intracellular magnesium concentrations, modulating cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation, and plays a role in mineralization processes in bone and in tumor suppression by promoting pro-apoptotic signaling. SLC41A1 dysregulation is associated with diseases such as pancreatic cancer, bone metabolic disorders, cardiovascular conditions, and metabolic syndrome. No approved drugs targeting SLC41A1 are identified as of this literature, but the protein is being investigated as a potential therapeutic or biomarker in relevant diseases.

Other names

MgtENPHPL2magnesium transporter protein SLC41A1solute carrier family 41 (magnesium transporter) member 1

SLC41A1 primarily functions as a Na⁺/Mg²⁺ exchanger, mediating magnesium efflux from cells. It modulates Akt/mTOR signaling in the context of cancer cell proliferation/apoptosis and influences Wnt signaling and β-catenin translocation in osteogenesis.