Symporter that cotransports short-chain neutral amino acids and sodium ions from the extraccellular to the intracellular side of the cell membrane. The transport is elctrogenic, pH dependent and driven by the Na(+) electrochemical gradient. Participates in the astroglia-derived glutamine transport into GABAergic interneurons for neurotransmitter GABA de novo synthesis (By similarity). May also contributes to amino acid transport in placental trophoblast (By similarity). Regulates synaptic plasticity (By similarity).
Subcellular locations: Cell membrane
Restricted to the somatodendritic compartment of neurons. Found in the cellular processes of neurons in the developing brain.