SLC7 transporters at the crossroads of amino acid metabolism and diabetes pathophysiology: insights and therapeutic perspectives
Amino acids are fundamental components of all living cells, serving not only as the building blocks of proteins but also as crucial sources of energy and precursors to key metabolites and signaling molecules. Amino acid transporters, specialized membrane proteins, facilitate the movement of amino ac...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1467057/full |
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| author | Tingting Xu Xiaoshi Zhang Qingqing Chen Cheng Yang Bo Deng David G. Armstrong Shunli Rui Yueqin Zhou Wuquan Deng |
| author_facet | Tingting Xu Xiaoshi Zhang Qingqing Chen Cheng Yang Bo Deng David G. Armstrong Shunli Rui Yueqin Zhou Wuquan Deng |
| author_sort | Tingting Xu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Amino acids are fundamental components of all living cells, serving not only as the building blocks of proteins but also as crucial sources of energy and precursors to key metabolites and signaling molecules. Amino acid transporters, specialized membrane proteins, facilitate the movement of amino acids across plasma membranes and between various cells and organ compartments. The malfunction, absence, or overexpression of specific amino acid transporters is linked to several human diseases. Among the extensive family of solute carrier proteins (SLCs), which comprises 458 transporters, the SLC7 transporter family, inclusive of CATs (Cationic Amino Acid Transporters) and LATs (L-type Amino Acid Transporters), is particularly instrumental in cellular amino acid uptake. Disruptions in amino acid transport can lead to significant metabolic abnormalities in diabetes, characterized by impaired insulin signaling and altered glucose metabolism. A deeper understanding of amino acid transporters’ roles in metabolic processes and insulin signaling could shed light on the pathogenesis of diabetes and unveil novel therapeutic targets for this pervasive metabolic syndrome. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-875d6313f46c4a80a375b191bb4f40b0 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2296-861X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-875d6313f46c4a80a375b191bb4f40b02025-08-20T03:13:39ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2025-05-011210.3389/fnut.2025.14670571467057SLC7 transporters at the crossroads of amino acid metabolism and diabetes pathophysiology: insights and therapeutic perspectivesTingting Xu0Xiaoshi Zhang1Qingqing Chen2Cheng Yang3Bo Deng4David G. Armstrong5Shunli Rui6Yueqin Zhou7Wuquan Deng8Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, School of Medicine, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing Emergency Medical Centre, Chongqing University, Chongqing, ChinaDepartment of Endocrinology and Metabolism, School of Medicine, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing Emergency Medical Centre, Chongqing University, Chongqing, ChinaDepartment of Endocrinology and Metabolism, School of Medicine, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing Emergency Medical Centre, Chongqing University, Chongqing, ChinaDepartment of Endocrinology and Metabolism, School of Medicine, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing Emergency Medical Centre, Chongqing University, Chongqing, ChinaDepartment of Endocrinology and Metabolism, School of Medicine, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing Emergency Medical Centre, Chongqing University, Chongqing, ChinaDepartment of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesDepartment of Endocrinology and Metabolism, School of Medicine, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing Emergency Medical Centre, Chongqing University, Chongqing, ChinaDepartment of Endocrinology and Metabolism, School of Medicine, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing Emergency Medical Centre, Chongqing University, Chongqing, ChinaDepartment of Endocrinology and Metabolism, School of Medicine, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing Emergency Medical Centre, Chongqing University, Chongqing, ChinaAmino acids are fundamental components of all living cells, serving not only as the building blocks of proteins but also as crucial sources of energy and precursors to key metabolites and signaling molecules. Amino acid transporters, specialized membrane proteins, facilitate the movement of amino acids across plasma membranes and between various cells and organ compartments. The malfunction, absence, or overexpression of specific amino acid transporters is linked to several human diseases. Among the extensive family of solute carrier proteins (SLCs), which comprises 458 transporters, the SLC7 transporter family, inclusive of CATs (Cationic Amino Acid Transporters) and LATs (L-type Amino Acid Transporters), is particularly instrumental in cellular amino acid uptake. Disruptions in amino acid transport can lead to significant metabolic abnormalities in diabetes, characterized by impaired insulin signaling and altered glucose metabolism. A deeper understanding of amino acid transporters’ roles in metabolic processes and insulin signaling could shed light on the pathogenesis of diabetes and unveil novel therapeutic targets for this pervasive metabolic syndrome.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1467057/fullSLC7diabetes mellitusamino acid transportersmetabolismmechanisms |
| spellingShingle | Tingting Xu Xiaoshi Zhang Qingqing Chen Cheng Yang Bo Deng David G. Armstrong Shunli Rui Yueqin Zhou Wuquan Deng SLC7 transporters at the crossroads of amino acid metabolism and diabetes pathophysiology: insights and therapeutic perspectives Frontiers in Nutrition SLC7 diabetes mellitus amino acid transporters metabolism mechanisms |
| title | SLC7 transporters at the crossroads of amino acid metabolism and diabetes pathophysiology: insights and therapeutic perspectives |
| title_full | SLC7 transporters at the crossroads of amino acid metabolism and diabetes pathophysiology: insights and therapeutic perspectives |
| title_fullStr | SLC7 transporters at the crossroads of amino acid metabolism and diabetes pathophysiology: insights and therapeutic perspectives |
| title_full_unstemmed | SLC7 transporters at the crossroads of amino acid metabolism and diabetes pathophysiology: insights and therapeutic perspectives |
| title_short | SLC7 transporters at the crossroads of amino acid metabolism and diabetes pathophysiology: insights and therapeutic perspectives |
| title_sort | slc7 transporters at the crossroads of amino acid metabolism and diabetes pathophysiology insights and therapeutic perspectives |
| topic | SLC7 diabetes mellitus amino acid transporters metabolism mechanisms |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1467057/full |
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