Title:The Ubiquitous Choline Transporter SLC44A1
VOLUME: 12 ISSUE: 2
Author(s):Vera Michel and Marica Bakovic
Affiliation:Animal Science and Nutrition Building, Room 346, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada.
Keywords:Choline transport, SLC44A1, choline transporter-like protein, hemicholinium, oxidative stress, cholinergic neurons, blood-brain barrier, cholinergic choline transport
Abstract:Choline is a zwitter ion that is positively charged at certain pH, which necessitates transport systems to allow
this amine to cross the phospholipid bilayer of cellular membranes. The solute carrier 44A1 (SLC44A1), also referred to
as choline transporter-like protein 1 (CTL1), is a recently discovered choline transporter with an intermediate affinity for
choline; this transport is Na+-independent and sensitive to inhibition by the drug hemicholinium-3. We highlight in this
review the discovery and characterization of SLC44A1, describe its expression patterns and subcellular localization, and
summarize evidence for the role of this choline transporter in the central nervous system.
