Anti-SLC7A11/xCT

This gene encodes a member of a heteromeric, sodium-independent, anionic amino acid transport system that is highly specific for cysteine and glutamate. In this system, designated Xc(-), the anionic form of cysteine is transported in exchange for glutamate. This protein has been identified as the predominant mediator of Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus fusion and entry permissiveness into cells. Also, increased expression of this gene in primary gliomas (compared to normal brain tissue) was associated with increased glutamate secretion via the XCT channels, resulting in neuronal cell death. Protein function: Heterodimer with SLC3A2, that functions as an antiporter by mediating the exchange of extracellular anionic L-cystine and intracellular L-glutamate across the cellular plasma membrane (PubMed:15151999, PubMed:34880232, PubMed:35352032, PubMed:35245456, PubMed:11417227, PubMed:14722095, PubMed:11133847). Provides L-cystine for the maintenance of the redox balance between extracellular L- cystine and L-cysteine and for the maintenance of the intracellular levels of glutathione that is essential for cells protection from oxidative stress. The transport is sodium-independent, electroneutral with a stoichiometry of 1:1, and is drove by the high intracellular concentration of L-glutamate and the intracellular reduction of L-cystine (PubMed:11417227, PubMed:11133847). In addition, mediates the import of L-kynurenine leading to anti-ferroptotic signaling propagation required to maintain L-cystine and glutathione homeostasis (PubMed:35245456). Moreover, mediates N-acetyl-L-cysteine uptake into the placenta leading to subsequently down-regulation of pathways associated with oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis (PubMed:34120018). In vitro can also transport L-aspartate (PubMed:11417227). May participate in astrocyte and meningeal cell proliferation during development and can provide neuroprotection by promoting glutathione synthesis and delivery from non-neuronal cells such as astrocytes and meningeal cells to immature neurons. Controls the production of pheomelanin pigment directly. [The UniProt Consortium]