SLC19A1

Solute carrier family 19 (folate transporter), member 1, also known as SLC19A1 or RFC1, is a protein which in humans is encoded by the SLC19A1 gene.

Function

Transport of folate compounds into mammalian cells can occur via receptor-mediated (see folate receptor 1) or carrier-mediated mechanisms. A functional coordination between these 2 mechanisms has been proposed to be the method of folate uptake in certain cell types. Methotrexate (MTX) is an antifolate chemotherapeutic agent that is actively transported by the carrier-mediated uptake system. RFC1 plays a role in maintaining intracellular concentrations of folate.

Clinical significance

Individuals carrying a specific polymorphism of SLC19A1 (c.80GG) have lower levels of folate. Other studies have also shown that individuals carrying the c.80AA polymrophism who are treated with methotrexate have higher levels of this anti-folate chemotherapeutic agent. Personalized dosing of the drug depending on the patient's genotype may therefore be required.