title: SLC6 transporters: structure, function, regulation, disease association and therapeutics.
abstract: The SLC6 family of secondary active transporters are integral membrane solute carrier proteins characterized by the Na(+)-dependent translocation of small amino acid or amino acid-like substrates. SLC6 transporters, which include the serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, GABA, taurine, creatine, as well as amino acid transporters, are associated with a number of human diseases and disorders making this family a critical target for therapeutic development. In addition, several members of this family are directly involved in the action of drugs of abuse such as cocaine, amphetamines, and ecstasy. Recent advances providing structural insight into this family have vastly accelerated our ability to study these proteins and their involvement in complex biological processes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Therapeutics, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, ND 58203, United States.
authors.forename: Akula Bala
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Pramod
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Carvelli
authors.forename: L Keith
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Henry
mesh_terms: D026921:Amino Acid Transport Systems, Neutral / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000502:physiology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D054878:Lipoylation; D008958:Models, Molecular; D005810:Multigene Family / Q000235:genetics*; D010802:Phylogeny; D050480:Plasma Membrane Neurotransmitter Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D011487:Protein Conformation; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D026921:Amino Acid Transport Systems, Neutral; D050480:Plasma Membrane Neurotransmitter Transport Proteins; D012964:Sodium