SLC26 family: a new insight for kidney stone disease

The solute-linked carrier 26 (SLC26) protein family is comprised of multifunctional transporters of substrates that include oxalate, sulphate, and chloride. Disorders of oxalate homeostasis cause hyperoxalemia and hyperoxaluria, leading to urinary calcium oxalate precipitation and urolithogenesis. SLC26 proteins are aberrantly expressed during kidney stone formation, and consequently may present therapeutic targets. SLC26 protein inhibitors are in preclinical development. In this review, we integrate the findings of recent reports with clinical data to highlight the role of SLC26 proteins in oxalate metabolism during urolithogenesis, and discuss limitations of current studies and potential directions for future research.

Automated summary

The SLC26 protein family consists of multifunctional carriers that transport substances such as oxalate, sulphate, and chloride. Disorders in oxalate metabolism can lead to hyperoxalemia and hyperoxaluria, causing urinary calcium oxalate precipitation and urolithogenesis. Abnormal expressions of SLC26 proteins during kidney stone formation suggest that they could be potential therapeutic targets. Preclinical development of SLC26 protein inhibitors is currently ongoing. This review integrates recent reports and clinical data to investigate the role of SLC26 proteins in oxalate metabolism during urolithogenesis, and discusses the limitations of current studies and future research directions.