Solute carrier family 43 member 2 (SLC43A2 (LAT4))

Solute carrier family 43 member 2 (SLC43A2, LAT4) is a uniporter responsible for transporting neutral L-amino acids such as methionine, leucine, phenylalanine, and valine across cell membranes via facilitated diffusion, independent of sodium, chloride, or pH gradients[1][4]. It is expressed in various tissues, including the placenta, and has important roles in amino acid metabolism, cell proliferation, and survival—particularly in tumor cells where heightened SLC43A2 activity supports increased methionine metabolism and tumor growth[2]. Elevated SLC43A2 expression correlates with cancer progression and poor prognosis in some cancers, making it a potential biomarker and therapeutic target. Currently, direct druggable inhibitors are not in clinical use, but gene knockdown or metabolic restriction has been shown to suppress tumor progression in preclinical models[2].

Other names

LAT4L-amino acid transporter-4SLC43A2

For experimental agents: gene silencing (e.g., siRNA) leading to reduced methionine intake/metabolism in tumor cells, resulting in decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis