Skip navigation

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/slc46a1/

SLC46A1 gene

solute carrier family 46 member 1

Normal Function

The SLC46A1 gene provides instructions for making a protein called the proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT). This protein is found within the membrane of cells, where it helps transport certain B vitamins called folates into the cell. PCFT is primarily found in cells that line the walls of the small intestine. These cells have fingerlike projections called microvilli that absorb nutrients from food as it passes through the intestine. Based on their appearance, groups of these microvilli are known collectively as the brush border. PCFT is involved in transporting folates from food across the brush border membrane so they can be used by the body. PCFT is also found in the brain, where it is involved in the transport of folates between the brain and the surrounding fluid (cerebrospinal fluid).



Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

Hereditary folate malabsorption

Variants (also called mutations) in the SLC46A1 gene have been identified in people with hereditary folate malabsorption. This disorder interferes with the body's ability to take in (absorb) folates from food. The SLC46A1 gene variants can change single protein building blocks (amino acids) in the PCFT protein, or they can cause the cell to produce a PCFT protein that is shorter than normal. The altered PCFT protein has little or no activity. In some cases, the altered protein is missing from the cell membranes where it is needed to perform its function. Without functional PCFT, cells in the small intestine cannot absorb folates from food and cells in the brain cannot transport folate to the cerebrospinal fluid. These folate deficiencies result in the digestive issues, neurological problems, and other signs and symptoms of hereditary folate malabsorption.

More About This Health Condition

Other Names for This Gene

  • HCP1
  • heme carrier protein 1
  • PCFT
  • proton-coupled folate transporter
  • solute carrier family 46 (folate transporter), member 1
  • solute carrier family 46, member 1

Additional Information & Resources

Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry

Scientific Articles on PubMed

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

Gene and Variant Databases

References

  • Goldman ID. Hereditary Folate Malabsorption. 2008 Jun 17 [updated 2024 Feb 15]. In: Adam MP, Feldman J, Mirzaa GM, Pagon RA, Wallace SE, Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews(R) [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2024. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1673/ Citation on PubMed
  • Lasry I, Berman B, Straussberg R, Sofer Y, Bessler H, Sharkia M, Glaser F, Jansen G, Drori S, Assaraf YG. A novel loss-of-function mutation in the proton-coupled folate transporter from a patient with hereditary folate malabsorption reveals that Arg 113 is crucial for function. Blood. 2008 Sep 1;112(5):2055-61. doi: 10.1182/blood-2008-04-150276. Epub 2008 Jun 17. Citation on PubMed
  • Nakai Y, Inoue K, Abe N, Hatakeyama M, Ohta KY, Otagiri M, Hayashi Y, Yuasa H. Functional characterization of human proton-coupled folate transporter/heme carrier protein 1 heterologously expressed in mammalian cells as a folate transporter. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2007 Aug;322(2):469-76. doi: 10.1124/jpet.107.122606. Epub 2007 May 2. Citation on PubMed
  • Qiu A, Jansen M, Sakaris A, Min SH, Chattopadhyay S, Tsai E, Sandoval C, Zhao R, Akabas MH, Goldman ID. Identification of an intestinal folate transporter and the molecular basis for hereditary folate malabsorption. Cell. 2006 Dec 1;127(5):917-28. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2006.09.041. Citation on PubMed
  • Wolf G. Identification of proton-coupled high-affinity human intestinal folate transporter mutated in human hereditary familial folate malabsorption. Nutr Rev. 2007 Dec;65(12 Pt 1):554-7. doi: 10.1301/nr.2007.dec.554-557. Citation on PubMed
  • Zhao R, Aluri S, Goldman ID. The proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT-SLC46A1) and the syndrome of systemic and cerebral folate deficiency of infancy: Hereditary folate malabsorption. Mol Aspects Med. 2017 Feb;53:57-72. doi: 10.1016/j.mam.2016.09.002. Epub 2016 Sep 21. Citation on PubMed
  • Zhao R, Matherly LH, Goldman ID. Membrane transporters and folate homeostasis: intestinal absorption and transport into systemic compartments and tissues. Expert Rev Mol Med. 2009 Jan 28;11:e4. doi: 10.1017/S1462399409000969. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Zhao R, Min SH, Qiu A, Sakaris A, Goldberg GL, Sandoval C, Malatack JJ, Rosenblatt DS, Goldman ID. The spectrum of mutations in the PCFT gene, coding for an intestinal folate transporter, that are the basis for hereditary folate malabsorption. Blood. 2007 Aug 15;110(4):1147-52. doi: 10.1182/blood-2007-02-077099. Epub 2007 Apr 19. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Zhao R, Qiu A, Tsai E, Jansen M, Akabas MH, Goldman ID. The proton-coupled folate transporter: impact on pemetrexed transport and on antifolates activities compared with the reduced folate carrier. Mol Pharmacol. 2008 Sep;74(3):854-62. doi: 10.1124/mol.108.045443. Epub 2008 Jun 4. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.