SLC7A8: Sodium-independent, high-affinity transport of small and large neutral amino acids such as alanine, serine, threonine, cysteine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, leucine, arginine and tryptophan, when associated with SLC3A2/4F2hc. Acts as an amino acid exchanger. Has higher affinity for L-phenylalanine than LAT1 but lower affinity for glutamine and serine. L-alanine is transported at physiological concentrations. Plays a role in basolateral (re)absorption of neutral amino acids. Involved in the uptake of methylmercury (MeHg) when administered as the L-cysteine or D,L-homocysteine complexes, and hence plays a role in metal ion homeostasis and toxicity. Involved in the cellular activity of small molecular weight nitrosothiols, via the stereoselective transport of L-nitrosocysteine (L-CNSO) across the transmembrane. Plays an essential role in the reabsorption of neutral amino acids from the epithelial cells to the bloodstream in the kidney. Belongs to the amino acid-polyamine-organocation (APC) superfamily. L-type amino acid transporter (LAT) (TC 2.A.3.8) family.
Protein type: Membrane protein, integral; Membrane protein, multi-pass; Transporter; Transporter, SLC family
Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 14q11.2
Cellular Component: integral to plasma membrane; basolateral plasma membrane; cytoplasm; plasma membrane
Molecular Function: L-amino acid transmembrane transporter activity; protein binding; peptide antigen binding; neutral amino acid transmembrane transporter activity; toxin transporter activity; organic cation transmembrane transporter activity; amino acid transmembrane transporter activity
Biological Process: neutral amino acid transport; amino acid metabolic process; metal ion homeostasis; organic cation transport; transport; amino acid transport; response to toxin; ion transport; blood coagulation; transmembrane transport; leukocyte migration
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