Amino acid transporter heavy chain SLC3A2 (CD98) is a ~57 kDa protein. Acts as a chaperone that facilitates biogenesis and trafficking of functional transporters heterodimers to the plasma membrane. Forms heterodimer with SLC7 family transporters (SLC7A5, SLC7A6, SLC7A7, SLC7A8, SLC7A10 and SLC7A11), a group of amino-acid antiporters. Heterodimers function as amino acids exchangers, the specificity of the substrate depending on the SLC7A subunit. Heterodimers SLC3A2/SLC7A6 or SLC3A2/SLC7A7 mediate the uptake of dibasic amino acids. Heterodimer SLC3A2/SLC7A11 functions as an antiporter by mediating the exchange of extracellular anionic L-cystine and intracellular L-glutamate across the cellular plasma membrane. 1. Rossier, G. et al. (1999) The Journal of biological chemistry 274, 34948-54. PMID: 105749702. Bröer, A. et al. (2000) The Biochemical journal 349 Pt 3, 787-95. PMID: 109031403. Yanagida, O. et al. (2001) Biochimica et biophysica acta 1514, 291-302. PMID: 115570287. Parker, JL. et al. (2021) Nature communications 12, 7147. PMID: 348802328. Mastroberardino, L. et al. (1998) Nature 395, 288-91. PMID: 97510589. Torrents, D. et al. (1998) The Journal of biological chemistry 273, 32437-45. PMID: 982997410. Pfeiffer, R. et al. (1999) The EMBO journal 18, 49-57. PMID: 9878049 | 
