Membrane transporters for the special amino acid glutamine: structure/function relationships and relevance to human health.

ABSTRACT: Glutamine together with glucose is essential for body's homeostasis. It is the most abundant amino acid and is involved in many biosynthetic, regulatory and energy production processes. Several membrane transporters which differ in transport modes, ensure glutamine homeostasis by coordinating its absorption, reabsorption and delivery to tissues. These transporters belong to different protein families, are redundant and ubiquitous. Their classification, originally based on functional properties, has recently been associated with the SLC nomenclature. Function of glutamine transporters is studied in cells over-expressing the transporters or, more recently in proteoliposomes harboring the proteins extracted from animal tissues or over-expressed in microorganisms. The role of the glutamine tra

SUBMITTER: Pochini L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4127817 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature