SLC22A1

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title: "SLC22A1" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["solute-carrier-family"] description: "Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens" topic_path: "general/solute-carrier-family" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SLC22A1" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens ::

Solute carrier family 22 member 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the gene SLC22A1.

Function

Polyspecific organic cation transporters in the liver, kidney, intestine, and other organs are critical for elimination of many endogenous small organic cations as well as a wide array of drugs and environmental toxins. This gene is one of three similar cation transporter genes located in a cluster on chromosome 6. The encoded protein contains twelve putative transmembrane domains and is a plasma integral membrane protein. Two transcript variants encoding two different isoforms have been found for this gene, but only the longer variant encodes a functional transporter.

It is also required for the uptake of metformin by cells.

References

References

1. (Jun 1998). "The two human organic cation transporter genes SLC22A1 and SLC22A2 are located on chromosome 6q26". Cytogenetics and Cell Genetics.
2. "Entrez Gene: SLC22A1 solute carrier family 22 (organic cation transporter), member 1".
3. (16 October 2015). "Repurposing metformin: an old drug with new tricks in its binding pockets". The Biochemical Journal.
4. (1 May 2014). "Metformin: a metabolic disruptor and anti-diabetic drug to target human leukemia.". Cancer Letters.

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