SLC26A3

Solute carrier family 26, member 3, also known as CLD (chloride anion exchanger), or DRA (downregulated-in-adenoma) is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the SLC26A3 is_associated_with::gene.

Function
The downregulated-in-adenoma (DRA) is a is_associated_with::membrane protein in intestinal cells. It is an anion exchanger and a member of the is_associated_with::sulfate anion transporter (SAT) family. It mediates is_associated_with::chloride and is_associated_with::bicarbonate exchange and additionally transports is_associated_with::sulfate and other is_associated_with::anions at the is_associated_with::apical membrane, part of the is_associated_with::plasma membrane of enterocytes. It is different from the anion exchanger that present in erythrocytes, renal tubule, and several other tissues.

The protein encoded by this gene is a transmembrane is_associated_with::glycoprotein that functions as a is_associated_with::sulfate transporter. It is localized to the is_associated_with::mucosa of the lower intestinal tract, particularly to the apical membrane of is_associated_with::columnar epithelium and some is_associated_with::goblet cells, and is instrumental in chloride reuptake, aiding in the creation of an osmotic gradient for resorption of fluid from the lumen of the intestine.

Clinical significance
Mutations in this gene have been associated with is_associated_with::congenital chloride diarrhoea, a treatable disease.

The congenital absence of this membrane protein results in an autosomal recessive disorder called is_associated_with::congenital chloridorrhea or is_associated_with::congenital chloride diarrhea (CLD).