Cationic amino acid transporter 2 (SLC7A2)

Functions as permease involved in the transport of the cationic amino acids (arginine, lysine and ornithine); the affinity for its substrates differs between isoforms made by alternative splicing. Isoform 1 functions as permease that mediates the transport of the cationic amino acids (arginine, lysine and ornithine), and it has much higher affinity for arginine than isoform 2.

Isoform 2 functions as low-affinity, higher capacity permease involved in the transport of the cationic amino acids (arginine, lysine and ornithine) (PubMed:9174363). May play a role in classical or other activation of macrophages through its role in arginine transport.