Transports sulfoconjugated steroid hormones from the extracellular compartment into the cytosol in a sodium-dependent manner without hydrolysis ( , ). Steroid sulfate hormones are commonly considered to be biologically inactive metabolites, that may be activated by steroid sulfatases into free steroids (, ). May play an important role by delivering sulfoconjugated steroids to specific target cells in reproductive organs (By similarity). May play a role transporting the estriol precursor 16alpha-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone 3-sulfate (16a-OH-DHEAS) at the fetal blood vessel endothelium . Can also transport other sulfoconjugated molecules such as taurolithocholic acid-3-sulfate and sulfoconjugated pyrenes .
Subcellular locations: Membrane
Highly expressed in testis, placenta and pancreas. Moderately expressed in heart, lung and mammary gland. Weakly expressed in brain, colon, kidney, liver, ovary, prostate, small intestine, spleen and thymus.