| Modification Notes |
The sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporters (SNAT) of the SLC38 gene family include system A subtypes SNAT1, SNAT2 and SNAT4 and system N subtypes SNAT3 and SNAT5. The SLC38 transporters are essential for the uptake of nutrients, energy production, metabolism, detoxification and the cycling of neurotransmitters. SNAT3, also designated SN1, G17 and NAT1, is encoded by the human gene SLC38A3. SNAT3 is a gluatmine transporter expressed in astroglia from embryonic stages through adulthood, as well as in the liver. Expression levels for SNAT3 in postnatal brain are twice that of normal adult. Increased expression of SNAT3 may also serve as a marker of primary malignant gliomas in situ. |