Major Facilitator Superfamily Domain Containing Protein 2A (MFSD2A)

Mfsd2a, a novel mammalian major facilitator superfamily domain-containing protein, and an additional closely related protein, Mfsd2b. Most intron/exon junctions are conserved between the two genes, suggesting that they are derived from a common ancestor. Mfsd2a and Mfsd2b share a 12 transmembrane alpha-helical domain structure that bears greatest similarity to that of the bacterial Na(+)/melibiose symporters. Mfsd2a is expressed in many tissues and is highly induced in liver and BAT during fasting. Mfsd2a displays an oscillatory expression profile in BAT and liver, consistent with a circadian rhythm. Although the basal level of Mfsd2a expression is relatively low in mouse BAT, it is greatly induced during cold-induced thermogenesis and after treatment with betaAR agonists.