SLC7A11

Cystine/glutamate transporter is an is_associated_with::antiporter that in humans is encoded by the SLC7A11 is_associated_with::gene.

Function
SLC7A11 is a member of a heteromeric Na(+)-independent anionic amino acid transport system highly specific for cystine and glutamate. In this system, designated system Xc(-), the anionic form of cystine is transported in exchange for glutamate.[supplied by OMIM] SLC7A11 has also been termed 'xCT', especially in older literature.

Clinical significance
Recently, SLC7A11 has been shown to be involved in the cellular import of dimethylarsino-cysteine, an active metabolite of is_associated_with::darinaparsin, an arsenic-based glutathion S-conjugate, in cancer cells.