SLC38A3 Membrane Protein Introduction

Introduction of SLC38A3

Solute carrier family 38 (SLC38) transporters are responsible for amino acid transportation. The transporters of this family are divided into two systems, one is system A and the other is system N. SLC38A3, also known as SNAT3, was the first protein identified as a system N transporter that has the ability to counter transporter both Na⁺ and H⁺. SNAT3 has high expression in the brain, where it is only found on astrocytes and endothelial cells of the blood-brain barrier. In peripheral tissues, its expression is also found in the liver (in the periportal and perivenous hepatocytes), kidney (in the proximal tubule), heart, skeletal muscle. It is able to transport glutamine, asparagine, and histidine.

Functions of SLC38A3 Membrane Protein

In terms of physiological function and implication in pathological conditions, SLC38A3 has been reported to be involved in energy metabolism, brain physiology, gestation, ammonia detoxification, and acid-base balance. Firstly, in the liver, SLC38A3 plays a role in hepatic ammonia detoxification from the portal blood. Besides, evidence has shown that SLC38A3 is involved in glucose homeostasis. Secondly, in the kidney, SLC38A3 may play a role in the response to acidosis. In the brain, SLC38A3 is assigned a role in the glutamate/glutamine cycle, contributing to optimal neurotransmission. Besides, SLC38A3 mRNA expression has been shown to be highly up-regulated in advanced human gliomas.

Fig.1 Schematic model of the Snat3 transporter.

Application of SLC38A3 Membrane Protein in Literature

1. Balkrishna S., et al. Expression of glutamine transporter Slc38a3 (SNAT3) during acidosis is mediated by a different mechanism than tissue-specific expression. Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry. 2014, 33(5): 1591-1606. PubMed ID: 24854847
   
   

   This study measured the Slc38a3 promoter activity and messenger RNA stability in cultured cells under different pH conditions. It had been concluded that mechanisms underlying the SNAT gene expression regulated by extracellular pH were involved in both post-translational and transcriptional regulations.

2. Busque S.M., et al. Dysregulation of the glutamine transporter Slc38a3 (SNAT3) and ammoniagenic enzymes in obese, glucose-intolerant mice. Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry. 2014, 34(2): 575-589. PubMed ID: 26490457
   
   

   Using diet-induced obesity mice, this study investigated whether obesity and insulin resistance could contribute to deranged ammonium excretion. The results showed that obesity and glucose intolerance impaired renal ammonium excretion when fed with NH4Cl, but the stimulation of SNAT3 and ammoniagenic enzyme expression might be compensatory but futile.

3. Chan K., et al. Loss of function mutation of the Slc38a3 glutamine transporter reveals its critical role for amino acid metabolism in the liver, brain, and kidney. Pflügers Archiv-European Journal of Physiology. 2016, 468(2): 213-227. PubMed ID: 25116356
   
   

   Using snat3 mutant mice, this study investigated the effect of the loss of Snat3/Slc38a3 glutamine transporter on the functions of different organs. The results showed that SNAT3 was required for amino acid homeostasis and was critical for various organ functions, including the liver, brain, and kidney.

4. Martínez-Lozada Z, et al. GLAST/EAAT1-induced Glutamine release via SNAT3 in Bergmann glial cells: evidence of functional and physical coupling. Journal of neurochemistry. 2013, 125(4): 545-554. PubMed ID: 23418736
   
   

   Using the established model of cultured cerebellar Bergmann glial cells, this study sought to characterize the functional and physical coupling of glutamate uptake and glutamine release. The results showed that EAAT1-induced glutamine release was mediated by SNAT3 in Bergmann glial cells, which was regarded as evidence of functional and physical coupling of glutamate uptake and release.

5. Balkrishna S., et al. Rapid downregulation of the rat glutamine transporter SNAT3 by a caveolin-dependent trafficking mechanism in Xenopus laevis oocytes. American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology. 2010, 299(5): C1047-C1057. PubMed ID: 20739622
   
   

   In this study, treatment of Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing rat SNAT3 with the phorbol ester PMA resulted in a rapid downregulation of glutamine uptake and reduced SNAT3 activity only, indicating the specificity of the regulatory system.

SLC38A3 Preparation Options

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