Solute carrier family 22 member 1 is a
protein
Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, respo ...
that in humans is encoded by the
gene
In biology, the word gene (from , ; "...Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity..." meaning ''generation'' or ''birth'' or ''gender'') can have several different meanings. The Mendelian gene is a ba ...
''SLC22A1''.
Function
Polyspecific organic cation transporters in the liver, kidney, intestine, and other organs are critical for elimination of many endogenous small organic cations as well as a wide array of drugs and environmental toxins. This gene is one of three similar cation transporter genes located in a cluster on chromosome 6. The encoded protein contains twelve putative transmembrane domains and is a plasma integral membrane protein. Two transcript variants encoding two different isoforms have been found for this gene, but only the longer variant encodes a functional transporter.
It is also required for the uptake of
metformin by cells.
See also
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Solute carrier family
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Organic cation transport proteins An organic cation transport protein mediates the transport of organic cations across the cell membrane. These proteins are members of the solute carrier family, subfamily 22. This family of proteins can also transport zwitterions and anions, tho ...
References
Further reading
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{{Membrane transport proteins
Solute carrier family