Navigating Solute Carrier Transporters—A Comprehensive Review of Functionalized Small Molecule Probes for Target Identification and Characterization

Abstract Solute carrier transporters (SLCs) are integral membrane proteins that play pivotal roles in maintaining cellular homeostasis by mediating the transport of a diverse range of substrates across cell membranes. With their involvement in fundamental physiological processes such as nutrient uptake, neurotransmitter signaling, and drug transport, SLCs have emerged as crucial players in health and disease. Dysregulation of SLC function has been implicated in a spectrum of disorders, including metabolic diseases, cancer, and neurological afflictions. Despite their significance, SLCs remain