Solute Carrier Family 38, Member 5 (SLC38A5)

System N amino acid transporters, such as SLC38A5, mediate Na(+)-coupled transport of neutral amino acids, in particular glutamine, asparagine, and histidine. The deduced 472-amino acid protein contains 11 transmembrane domains and shares 62% amino acid identity with SN1. Northern blot analysis detected several SN2 transcripts. Highest expression was in stomach, where a 1.4-kb transcript predominated. A 2.2-kb transcript predominated in whole brain and was present in all specific brain regions examined, as well as in lung, small intestine, spleen, and colon. A 2.6-kb transcript was detected in liver and more weakly in kidney.SN2 mediated Na(+)-coupled transport of system N-specific amino acids following expression in mammalian cells.