Functions as a sodium-dependent amino acid transporter. Mediates the saturable, pH-sensitive and electrogenic cotransport of glutamine and sodium ions with a stoichiometry of 1:1. May also transport small zwitterionic and aliphatic amino acids with a lower affinity. May supply glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons with glutamine which is required for the synthesis of the neurotransmitters glutamate and GABA.
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Cellular Localization:
Cell membrane ; Multi-pass membrane protein . Restricted to the somatodendritic compartment of neurons. Found in the cellular processes of neurons in the developing brain (By similarity). .
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Tissue Expression:
Expressed in the cerebral cortex by pyramidal and GABAergic neurons, astrocytes and other non-neuronal cells (at protein level). Expressed in placenta, heart, lung, skeletal muscle, spleen, stomach and testis.