Sodium-chloride symporter

The Sodium-chloride symporter (also known as NCC or SLC12A3) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SLC12A3 gene. It is a type of solute carrier family protein, specifically from the SLC12 family.

Pronunciation

Sodium-chloride symporter: /ˈsoʊdiəm ˈklɔːraɪd ˈsɪmpɔːrtər/

Etymology

The term "Sodium-chloride symporter" is derived from its function. "Sodium" and "chloride" are the ions that the symporter transports, and "symporter" refers to the type of transport protein that it is, which carries two different types of molecules in the same direction.

Function

The Sodium-chloride symporter is primarily found in the distal convoluted tubule of the kidney. It plays a crucial role in the kidney's ability to balance the body's sodium and chloride ions and overall electrolyte balance. This symporter uses the electrochemical gradient of sodium to transport chloride across the cell membrane.

Related Terms

Solute carrier family: A large family of membrane transport proteins that facilitate the movement of various substances across biological membranes.
Distal convoluted tubule: A portion of kidney nephron between the loop of Henle and the collecting duct system.
Electrolyte: A substance that produces an electrically conducting solution when dissolved in a polar solvent.
Electrochemical gradient: A gradient of electrochemical potential for an ion that can move across a membrane.

Pathology

Mutations in the SLC12A3 gene that encodes the Sodium-chloride symporter can lead to a rare disorder known as Gitelman syndrome, which is characterized by low levels of potassium and magnesium in the blood, and elevated levels of calcium.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Sodium-chloride symporter
Wikipedia's article - Sodium-chloride symporter

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Sodium-chloride symporter