Variant SLC6A14 may confer susceptibility towards obesity

SLC6A14 mediates the uptake of multiple basic and nonpolar amino acids as well as beta-alanine across the plasma membrane. Uptake of one amino acid molecule is accompanied by uptake of two sodium ions and a chloride ion. As assessed by Northern blotting, SLC6A14 is expressed at high levels in lung but only at low levels, if at all, in intestine or kidney. Variations in SLC6A14 may be associated with obesity (BMIQ11; MIM:300306) in some populations. SLC6A14 is an interesting candidate for obesity because it may potentially regulate tryptophan availability for serotonin synthesis and thus could affect appetite control.

Summary from Reactome (R-HSA-5619094), read 2026-09-23.