Background：This gene encodes a member of the SLC25 family of nuclear-encoded transporters that are localized in the inner mitochondrial membrane. Members of this superfamily are involved in many metabolic pathways and cell functions. Genome-wide association studies in human have identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms in several loci associated with obesity. This gene is one such locus, which is highly expressed in white adipose tissue and adipocytes, and thought to play a regulatory role in adipocyte differentiation and biology. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. A recent study showed this gene to be an authentic stop codon readthrough target, and that its mRNA can give rise to an additional C-terminally extended isoform by use of an alternative in-frame translation termination codon.
