Solute Carrier Family 16, Member 11 (SLC16A11)

SLC16A11, is a 471 proton-linked monocarboxylate transporter that catalyzes the rapid transport of monocarboxylates across the plasma membrane. Lactic acid is produced in large quantities as a result of glycolysis, which provides the majority of ATP to cells under normal physiological conditions. However, accumulation of lactic acid leads to a decrease in intracellular pH and cessation of glycolysis. In order for glycolysis to continue at a high rate, lactic acid must be transported out of the cell. This transport process is carried out by a family of monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs), which function as proton symports and are stereoselective for L-lactate. Proteins belonging to the MCT family contain between 10-12 transmembranehelical domains, with the amino and carboxy-termini located in the cytoplasm.