A Call for Systematic Research on Solute Carriers

Cell. 2015 Jul 30;162(3):478-87. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2015.07.022.

Abstract

Solute carrier (SLC) membrane transport proteins control essential physiological functions, including nutrient uptake, ion transport, and waste removal. SLCs interact with several important drugs, and a quarter of the more than 400 SLC genes are associated with human diseases. Yet, compared to other gene families of similar stature, SLCs are relatively understudied. The time is right for a systematic attack on SLC structure, specificity, and function, taking into account kinship and expression, as well as the dependencies that arise from the common metabolic space.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomedical Research
  • Drug Discovery
  • Gene Expression
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • Humans
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / chemistry
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Membrane Transport Proteins