Sodium- and chloride-dependent betaine transporter explained

Sodium- and chloride-dependent betaine transporter, also known as Na(+)/Cl(-) betaine/GABA transporter (BGT-1), is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SLC6A12 gene. BGT-1 is predominantly expressed in the liver (hepatocytes).^[1] It is also expressed in the kidney^[1] where it is regulated by NFAT5 during a response to osmotic stress.^[2] Further, BGT1 is also present in the leptomeninges surrounding the brain.^[1] Deletion of the BGT1 gene in mice did not appear to have any impact on the tendency to develop epilepsy.^[3] This is to be expected considering that BGT1 is expressed at far lower levels than GAT1 and also has lower affinity for GABA. This implies that it is not likely to contribute significantly to the inactivation of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA.^[3]

See also

• Solute carrier family

Notes and References

1. Zhou Y, Holmseth S, Hua R, Lehre AC, Olofsson AM, Poblete-Naredo I, Kempson SA, Danbolt NC . The betaine-GABA transporter (BGT1, slc6a12) is predominantly expressed in the liver and at lower levels in the kidneys and at the brain surface . Am J Physiol Renal Physiol . 302 . 3 . F316-28 . 2012 . 22071246 . 10.1152/ajprenal.00464.2011.
2. Lee SD, Choi SY, Lim SW, Lamitina ST, Ho SN, Go WY, Kwon HM . 10.1152/ajprenal.00227.2010 . TonEBP stimulates multiple cellular pathways for adaptation to hypertonic stress: Organic osmolyte-dependent and -independent pathways . AJP: Renal Physiology . 300 . 3 . F707–F715 . 2011 . 21209002 . 3064130 .
3. Lehre AC, Rowley NM, Zhou Y, Holmseth S, Guo C, Holen T, Hua R, Laake P, Olofsson AM, Poblete-Naredo I, Rusakov DA, Madsen KK, Clausen RP, Schousboe A, White HS, Danbolt NC . Deletion of the betaine-GABA transporter (BGT1; slc6a12) gene does not affect seizure thresholds of adult mice . Epilepsy Res . 95 . 1–2 . 70–81 . 2011 . 21459558 . 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2011.02.014 . 3376448.