Solute Carrier Family 6, Member 17 (SLC6A17)

The SLC6 family of proteins, which includes SLC6A17, acts as specific transporters for neurotransmitters, amino acids, and osmolytes like betaine, taurine, and creatine. SLC6 proteins are sodium cotransporters that derive the energy for solute transport from the electrochemical gradient for sodium ions.By searching various databases for SLC6-like sequences, Hoglund et al. (2005) identified SLC6A17.

The deduced protein contains 727 amino acids. EST database analysis detected expression in the human central nervous system (CNS) and female reproductive system, and in adult and fetal mouse CNS and in adult eye, gastrointestinal tract, and kidney. RT-PCR of rat tissues detected Slc6a17 in cerebellum, brainstem, forebrain, ovary, fat tissue, and heart, but not in other tissues examined.