title: The ubiquitous choline transporter SLC44A1.
abstract: Choline is a zwitter ion that is positively charged at certain pH, which necessitates transport systems to allow this amine to cross the phospholipid bilayer of cellular membranes. The solute carrier 44A1 (SLC44A1), also referred to as choline transporter-like protein 1 (CTL1), is a recently discovered choline transporter with an intermediate affinity for choline; this transport is Na(+)-independent and sensitive to inhibition by the drug hemicholinium-3. We highlight in this review the discovery and characterization of SLC44A1, describe its expression patterns and subcellular localization, and summarize evidence for the role of this choline transporter in the central nervous system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Michel
authors.forename: Marica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bakovic
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D002794:Choline / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D027701:Organic Cation Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D013347:Subcellular Fractions / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D027701:Organic Cation Transport Proteins; C510732:SLC44A1 protein, human; C065637:choline transporter; D002794:Choline