Functional identification of SLC43A3 as an equilibrative nucleobase transporter involved in purine salvage in mammals.

ABSTRACT: The purine salvage pathway plays a major role in the nucleotide production, relying on the supply of nucleobases and nucleosides from extracellular sources. Although specific transporters have been suggested to be involved in facilitating their transport across the plasma membrane in mammals, those which are specifically responsible for utilization of extracellular nucleobases remain unknown. Here we present the molecular and functional characterization of SLC43A3, an orphan transporter belonging to an amino acid transporter family, as a purine-selective nucleobase transporter. SLC43A3 was highly expressed in the liver, where it was localized to the sinusoidal membrane of hepatocytes, and the lung. In addition, SLC43A3 expressed in MDCKII cells mediated the uptake of purine nucleobases suc

SUBMITTER: Furukawa J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4796657 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature