Solute carrier

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Definition

Solute carrier is the term used for a membrane transport protein that transports solutes (ions, small molecules, or macromolecules) across the biological membrane, with each solute transported in only one specific direction (e.g., from inside to outside, or from outside to inside). The direction of transport can be different for different solutes for the same carrier (for instance, antiporters carry two solutes in opposite directions).

Solute carriers are classified by family; the classification system is called solute carrier families.

Relation with other concepts

Broader concepts

Concept	Meaning	Relationship with the concept of solute carrier	Intermediate notions
membrane transport protein	protein that facilitates movement across a biological membrane	a membrane transport protein could be either a carrier or a channel	\|FULL LIST, MORE INFO
transmembrane protein	protein that is attached to both sides of the bilipid layer of a biological membrane	(via membrane transport protein)	Membrane transport protein\|FULL LIST, MORE INFO
integral membrane protein	protein that is permanently attached to a biological membrane	(via transmembrane protein)	Membrane transport protein\|FULL LIST, MORE INFO
membrane protein	protein that interacts with a biological membrane	(via integral membrane protein)	Membrane transport protein, Transmembrane protein\|FULL LIST, MORE INFO