SLC6A13
Description
The SLC6A13 (solute carrier family 6 member 13) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 12.
The SLC6A13 gene encodes for a protein known as GABA transporter 1 (GAT1) or sodium- and chloride-dependent GABA transporter 1. It is a member of the solute carrier 6 (SLC6) family of transporters. GAT1 facilitates the movement of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) from the extracellular space into the intracellular space within brain tissue and the central nervous system. GAT1 is a 599 amino acid protein with 12 transmembrane domains, an intracellular N-terminus, and an intracellular C-terminus. It functions as a GABA transporter, removing GABA from the synaptic cleft and shuttling it to presynaptic neurons for recycling and to astrocytes for breakdown. GAT1 utilizes energy from the dissipation of a Na+ gradient, aided by a Cl− gradient, to transport GABA across neuronal membranes. The stoichiometry for GAT1 is 2 Na+: 1 Cl−: 1 GABA. The presence of a Cl−/Cl− exchange is also proposed. GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the cerebral cortex and has the highest level of expression within it. The GABA affinity (Km) of the mouse isoform of GAT1 is 8 μM. In the brain of a mature mammal, glutamate is converted to GABA by the enzyme glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) along with the addition of vitamin B6. GABA is then packed and released into the post-synaptic terminals of neurons after synthesis. GABA can also be used to form succinate, which is involved in the citric acid cycle.
SLC6A13 is also known as GAT-2, GAT2, GAT3.
