SLC38A3
Description
The SLC38A3 (solute carrier family 38 member 3) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 3.
Sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporter 3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SLC38A3 gene.
SLC38A3 is a symporter that transports specific neutral amino acids (L-glutamine, L-histidine, and L-asparagine) and sodium ions into cells, coupled with the movement of a proton (H+) out of the cell. This process is electroneutral, meaning there is no net charge transfer across the membrane. The transport is pH-dependent, saturable, and tolerant to lithium ions (Li+). The direction of transport can vary depending on the concentration gradients of the substrates and co-transported ions. SLC38A3 also mediates an amino acid-gated H+ conductance, which is not directly coupled to amino acid transport but influences the ionic gradients driving amino acid transport. This protein is believed to play a role in several important processes, including nitrogen metabolism, amino acid homeostasis, glucose metabolism, and renal ammoniagenesis.
SLC38A3 is also known as DEE102, G17, NAT1, SN1, SNAT3.
