Sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporter 1 (SLC38A1)

Functions as a sodium-dependent amino acid transporter. Mediates the saturable, pH-sensitive and electrogenic cotransport of glutamine and sodium ions with a stoichiometry of 1:1.

May also transport small zwitterionic and aliphatic amino acids with a lower affinity. May provide glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons with glutamine which is required for the synthesis of the neurotransmitters glutamate and GABA.