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Review
. 2025 Feb 20;188(4):869-884.
doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2025.01.015.

Solute carriers: The gatekeepers of metabolism

Artem Khan  1 , Yuyang Liu  1 , Mark Gad  2 , Timothy C Kenny  1 , Kıvanç Birsoy  3
Affiliations
Review

Solute carriers: The gatekeepers of metabolism

Artem Khan et al. Cell. .

Abstract

Solute carrier (SLC) proteins play critical roles in maintaining cellular and organismal homeostasis by transporting small molecules and ions. Despite a growing body of research over the past decade, physiological substrates and functions of many SLCs remain elusive. This perspective outlines key challenges in studying SLC biology and proposes an evidence-based framework for defining SLC substrates. To accelerate the deorphanization process, we explore systematic technologies, including human genetics, biochemistry, and computational and structural approaches. Finally, we suggest directions to better understand SLC functions beyond substrate identification in physiology and disease.

Keywords: SLC; deorphanization; metabolism; solute carriers.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of interests K.B. is a scientific advisor to Nanocare Pharmaceuticals and Atavistik Bio.

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