Large Neutral Amino Acid Transporter 1 / LAT1 (SLC7A5) Antibody

Background

SLC7A5, also known as LAT1 (L-type amino acid transporter 1), is a transmembrane protein crucial for amino acid transport across the plasma membrane. It is part of the solute carrier family 7 (SLC7), specifically associated with the transport of large neutral amino acids (LNAAs) like leucine, isoleucine, valine, phenylalanine, and tryptophan, which are essential for various cellular functions. LAT1 is a high-affinity, sodium-independent transporter and functions as part of a heteromeric complex with SLC3A2 (4F2hc or CD98), which acts as a chaperone protein for the proper membrane localization and functionality of LAT1. SLC7A5 plays a significant role in cellular growth and proliferation, and it is highly expressed in rapidly dividing cells. It is abundant in tissues with high metabolic demands, such as the brain, placenta, and certain immune cells, as well as in many cancer cell types, where it facilitates the increased amino acid demand required for protein synthesis and tumor growth. LAT1 is also integral to the blood-brain barrier, as it enables the transport of essential amino acids into the brain, thereby impacting neurotransmitter synthesis.