Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026

High-Throughput Expression and Purification of Human Solute Carriers for Structural and Biochemical Studies
Published on: September 29, 2023
The human concentrative and equilibrative nucleoside transporter families, SLC28 and SLC29
James D Young1, Sylvia Y M Yao, Jocelyn M Baldwin
1Membrane Protein Research Group, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2H7. james.young@ualberta.ca
Abstract:
Nucleoside transport in humans is mediated by members of two unrelated protein families, the SLC28 family of cation-linked concentrative nucleoside transporters (CNTs) and the SLC29 family of energy-independent, equilibrative nucleoside transporters (ENTs). These families contain three and four members, respectively, which differ both in the stoichiometry of cation coupling and in permeant selectivity. Together, they play key roles in nucleoside and nucleobase uptake for salvage pathways of nucleotide synthesis. Moreover, they facilitate cellular uptake of several nucleoside and nucleobase drugs used in cancer chemotherapy and treatment of viral infections. Thus, the transporter content of target cells can represent a key determinant of the response to treatment. In addition, by regulating the concentration of adenosine available to cell surface receptors, nucleoside transporters modulate many physiological processes ranging from neurotransmission to cardiovascular activity. This review describes the molecular and functional properties of the two transporter families, with a particular focus on their physiological roles in humans and relevance to disease treatment.
Related Concept Videos
Membrane Transporters
Transporters are mainly composed of alpha-helices, built from bundles of ten or more helices traversing the plasma membrane. The solute-binding sites are located midway, where some of the helices are broken or distorted, making space for the binding site through...
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Transporters: P-Glycoprotein and Solute Carrier Transporters
Active Transport
Primary active transporters, like Na+, K+ and -ATPase, directly utilize ATP to move ions across the membrane. These transporters play significant roles in various physiological processes. For instance, Na+, K+ and -ATPase maintain...
Secondary Active Transport
Secondary Active Transport
Secondary Active Transport

