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/slc7a7/

SLC7A7 gene

solute carrier family 7 member 7

Normal Function

The SLC7A7 gene provides instructions for producing a protein called y+L amino acid transporter 1 (y+LAT-1), which is involved in transporting certain protein building blocks (amino acids), namely lysine, arginine, and ornithine. The transportation of amino acids from the small intestine and kidneys to the rest of the body is necessary for the body to be able to make and use proteins. The y+LAT-1 protein forms one part (the light subunit) of a complex called the heterodimeric cationic amino acid transporter. This subunit is responsible for binding to the amino acids that are transported.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

Lysinuric protein intolerance

Variants (also called mutations) in the SLC7A7 gene have been found to cause lysinuric protein intolerance. All of these variants impair the y+LAT-1 protein's ability to transport amino acids. People with lysinuric protein intolerance who are of Finnish descent typically have the same variant. This variant disrupts the way the gene's instructions are used to make the y+LAT-1 protein, causing the protein to be misplaced in the cell.

Variants in the y+LAT-1 protein disrupt the transportation of amino acids, reducing the amount of lysine, arginine, and ornithine in the body and increasing the amount of these amino acids in urine. The abnormal transportation and reduced amount of these amino acids in various tissues of the body leads to the signs and symptoms of lysinuric protein intolerance.

More About This Health Condition

Other Names for This Gene

  • LAT3
  • LPI
  • solute carrier family 7 (amino acid transporter light chain, y+L system), member 7
  • y+LAT-1
  • Y+LAT1
  • YLAT1_HUMAN

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

  • Chillaron J, Roca R, Valencia A, Zorzano A, Palacin M. Heteromeric amino acid transporters: biochemistry, genetics, and physiology. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2001 Dec;281(6):F995-1018. doi: 10.1152/ajprenal.2001.281.6.F995. Citation on PubMed
  • Palacin M, Bertran J, Chillaron J, Estevez R, Zorzano A. Lysinuric protein intolerance: mechanisms of pathophysiology. Mol Genet Metab. 2004 Apr;81 Suppl 1:S27-37. doi: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2003.11.015. Citation on PubMed
  • Palacin M, Nunes V, Font-Llitjos M, Jimenez-Vidal M, Fort J, Gasol E, Pineda M, Feliubadalo L, Chillaron J, Zorzano A. The genetics of heteromeric amino acid transporters. Physiology (Bethesda). 2005 Apr;20:112-24. doi: 10.1152/physiol.00051.2004. Citation on PubMed
  • Sperandeo MP, Andria G, Sebastio G. Lysinuric protein intolerance: update and extended mutation analysis of the SLC7A7 gene. Hum Mutat. 2008 Jan;29(1):14-21. doi: 10.1002/humu.20589. Citation on PubMed
  • Sperandeo MP, Annunziata P, Ammendola V, Fiorito V, Pepe A, Soldovieri MV, Taglialatela M, Andria G, Sebastio G. Lysinuric protein intolerance: identification and functional analysis of mutations of the SLC7A7 gene. Hum Mutat. 2005 Apr;25(4):410. doi: 10.1002/humu.9323. Citation on PubMed

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.