function:Sodium-independent, high affinity transport of large neutral amino acids. Has narrower substrate selectivity compared to SLC7A5 and SLC7A8 and mainly transports branched-chain amino acids and phenylalanine. Plays a role in the development of human prostate cancer, from prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia to invasive prostate cancer.,miscellaneous:Up-regulated in early prostate cancer development with highest expression level in seminomas of testicular germ cell tumors.,similarity:Belongs to the SLC43A transporter (TC 2.A.1.44) family.,tissue specificity:In adults, found in all tissues examined with highest expression in pancreas. In fetus, highest expression in liver and lower levels in kidney, and lung. High levels found in prostate cancer cells.,