SLC22A4

Solute carrier family 22, member 4, also known as SLC22A4, is a human is_associated_with::gene; the encoded protein is an ergothioneine transporter.

Function
The encoded protein is an integral protein of the plasma membrane containing 12 transmembrane segments. The first functional designation of this protein was OCTN1 ("organic cation transporter, novel, type 1"), but efficiency of transport for organic cations (e.g., is_associated_with::tetraethylammonium) is very low. The transport efficiency for carnitine is also negligible. Instead, the protein is responsible for the is_associated_with::cotransport of sodium ions and is_associated_with::ergothioneine, which is an is_associated_with::antioxidant, into cells. Thus, a more appropriate functional designation is ETT ("ergothioneine transporter").

Interactions
SLC22A4 has been shown to interact with is_associated_with::PDZK1.