SLC1A3 encodes a member of a member of a high affinity glutamate transporter family. Mutations in this gene are associated with episodic ataxia, Type 6. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants.
Glutamate transporters, also known as excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs), are sodium- and
 potassium-dependent members of the solute carrier family 6 (SLC1) found widely distributed throughout the brain. There are five EAAT subtypes, each with a specific primary distribution; EAAT1 (cerebellar glia), EAAT2 (forebrain glia), EAAT3 (cortical neurons), EAAT4 (cerebellar Purkinje neurons) and EAAT5 (retina). Functions of glutamate transporters include regulation of excitatory neurotransmission, maintenance of low ambient extracellular glutamate concentrations (protects against neurotoxicity) and providing glutamate for metabolism through the glutamate-glutamine cycle. Overactivity of glutamate transporters has been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and other mental illnesses, whilst underactivity is seen in ischemia and traumatic brain injury.