SLC Family Transporters

Solute carrier (SLC) family transporters utilize an electrochemical potential difference or an ion gradient generated by primary active transporters for transporting their substrates across biological membranes. These transporters are categorized as facilitated transporters or secondary active transporters. More than 300 SLC transporters have been identified. SLC transporters related to drug transport mainly include SLC21 gene subfamily (organic anion-transporting polypeptides, OATPs), SLC22A gene subfamily (organic anion transporters, OATs; organic cation transporters, OCTs; or organic cation/carnitine transporters, OCTNs), SLC15A gene subfamily (peptide transporters, PEPTs), and SLC47A gene subfamily (multidrug and toxin extrusion, MATEs). In general, OCTs transport organic cations, OATPs transport large and fairly hydrophobic organic anions, OATs transport the smaller and more hydrophilic organic anions, and PEPTs are responsible for the uptake of di-/tripeptides and peptide-like drugs. MATEs are responsible for efflux of organic cations. These transporters also transport some endogenous substances, indicating that the dysfunction of SLCs not only disrupts homeostasis but also largely impacts on the disposition of their substrate drugs. This chapter will discuss these SLC family transporters, with an emphasis on tissue distribution, substrate specificity, transporter physiology, and clinical significance.