Facilitates proton transport across the inner mitochondrial membrane and may dissipate excessive proton gradient associated with oxidative and metabolic stress at neuronal synapses. Regulates glutamate-induced proton conductance in astrocytes, shifting the energy metabolism toward aerobic glycolysis and lactate transfer to neurons for ATP synthesis. Can transport chloride ions with lower efficiency. The transport mechanism remains to be elucidated.
Subcellular locations: Mitochondrion inner membrane
Localizes to neuronal cell body and processes. Within mitochondrial inner membrane, it is mainly observed in the inner boundary membrane locally separated from F(1)F(0) ATP synthase, which is preferentially localized in cristae.
Found in adult and fetal brain. Present in most of the brain tissues, with low levels in spinal chord, corpus callosum and substantia nigra.