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Author Spotlight: Expression and Purification of Human Solute Carrier Transporters Using Codon-Optimized Genes
Published on: September 29, 2023
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A guide to plasma membrane solute carrier proteins
Mattia D Pizzagalli1, Ariel Bensimon1, Giulio Superti-Furga1,2
1CeMM, Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
The FEBS Journal
|August 19, 2020
Summary
Solute carrier (SLC) proteins are vital transporters in human cells. This review highlights their roles at the cell surface, particularly in regulating metabolism and cancer progression.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The solute carrier (SLC) protein superfamily comprises 458 transporters organized into 65 families.
- These transporters are crucial for moving diverse substances across cellular membranes.
- SLC proteins are found in various cellular organelles, with a focus on plasma membrane transporters in this review.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce the solute carrier (SLC) protein superfamily.
- To elucidate the functions of SLC proteins in human cells.
- To explore the involvement of plasma membrane SLC proteins in cancer metabolism and progression.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on solute carrier proteins.
- Focus on SLC transporters located at the plasma membrane.
- Analysis of the role of SLC proteins in cellular metabolism and cancer.
Main Results:
- SLC proteins act as gatekeepers at the cell surface, responding to metabolic states.
- Altered metabolism is a hallmark of cancer, and SLC proteins play a role in this.
- Surface SLC proteins influence cancer development and progression by regulating metabolism and cellular environment.
Conclusions:
- SLC proteins are essential for cellular transport and homeostasis.
- Plasma membrane SLC proteins are key regulators of cellular metabolism.
- Targeting SLC proteins offers potential therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.
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