Slc29a1, also known as equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1), is a key gene encoding a cell membrane transporter. It is involved in the transportation of nucleosides such as nicotinamide, which is essential for cellular fuel respiration, energy production, and other cellular processes. It also plays a role in the uptake of drugs like cytosine arabinoside (AraC) and ribavirin, thus influencing the efficacy and toxicity of related chemotherapies [1,2,3].

In mice, ENT1-deficiency (a form of gene knockout) increases extracellular inosine levels in brown adipose tissue (BAT), which enhances thermogenic adipocyte differentiation. Pharmacological inhibition of ENT1 as well as global and adipose-specific ablation in mice enhance BAT activity and counteract diet-induced obesity [4]. In human brown adipocytes, knockdown of ENT1 increases extracellular inosine, enhancing thermogenic capacity.

In conclusion, Slc29a1 is crucial for maintaining cellular metabolite homeostasis, especially in relation to nucleoside-related metabolism. Its role in energy metabolism, as revealed by gene-knockout models in mice, shows potential implications for obesity-related research. Additionally, its influence on drug uptake in cancer cells indicates its importance in chemotherapy-related disease areas [4].