SLC51 family of steroid-derived molecule transporters in GtoPdb v.2025.3

Abstract

The SLC51 organic solute transporter family of transporters is a pair of heterodimeric proteins which regulate bile salt movements in the small intestine, bile duct, and liver, as part of the enterohepatic circulation [2, 5, 1]. OSTα/OSTβ is also expressed in steroidogenic cells of the brain and adrenal gland, where it may contribute to neurosteroid and steroid sulphate movement [6]. Bile acid and steroid sulphate transport is suggested to be bidirectional, facilitative and independent of sodium, potassium, chloride ions or protons [5, 2]. OSTα/OSTβ heterodimers have been shown to transport [³H]taurocholic acid, [³H]dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, [³H]estrone-3-sulphate, [³H]pregnenolone sulphate and [³H]dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate[2, 5, 6]. OSTα/OSTβ-mediated transport is inhibited by clofazimine and fidaxomicin [9, 11]. OSTα is suggested to be a seven TM protein, while OSTβ is a single TM 'ancillary' protein, both of which are thought to have intracellular C-termini [8]. Both proteins function in solute transport [8, 4]. Inherited mutations in OSTα and OSTβ are associated with liver disease and congenital diarrhea in children [10, 7].