Solute Carrier Family 25, Member 16 (SLC25A16)

SLC25A16 encodes a protein that contains three tandemly repeated mitochondrial carrier protein domains. The encoded protein is localized in the inner membrane and facilitates the rapid transport and exchange of molecules between the cytosol and the mitochondrial matrix space. This gene has a possible role in Graves' disease.

SLC25A16 is 35% identical to the yeast mitochondrial carrier protein Leu5. Organelles from Leu5-negative cells were not capable of synthesis of alpha-isopropylmalate (IPM) because the IPM synthase was trapped in the mitochondria. Mutant yeast also lacked peroxisomal citrate synthase. Transformation of mutant yeast cells with a plasmid carrying SLC25A16 at least partially replaced Leu5 function, suggesting a role for SLC25A16 in mitochondrial function.