solute carrier family 26 member 4
Last updated 3 Apr 2025
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The SLC26A4 gene provides instructions for making a protein called pendrin. This protein transports negatively charged particles (ions), including chloride, iodide, and bicarbonate, across cell membranes. Pendrin is produced in several organs and tissues, particularly the inner ear and thyroid gland.
Normal function
The SLC26A4 gene provides instructions for making a protein called pendrin. This protein transports negatively charged particles (ions), including chloride, iodide, and bicarbonate, across cell membranes. Pendrin is produced in several organs and tissues, particularly the inner ear and thyroid gland.
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ at the base of the neck that releases hormones to help regulate growth and the rate of chemical reactions in the body (metabolism). In the thyroid, pendrin is believed to transport iodide ions out of certain cells. Iodide is needed for the normal production of thyroid hormones.
In the inner ear, pendrin likely helps control the proper balance of ions, including chloride and bicarbonate. Maintaining the proper levels of these ions appears to be particularly important during development of the inner ear, and it may influence the shape of bony structures such as the cochlea and vestibular aqueduct. The cochlea is a snail-shaped structure that helps process sound. The vestibular aqueduct is a bony canal that connects the inner ear with the inside of the skull.
Pendrin is also found in other tissues, including the kidneys, liver, and lining of the airways. Researchers are studying the role of pendrin's ion transport function in these tissues.
Conditions referring to this gene or chromosome
Other names
PDS
pendrin
S26A4_HUMAN
solute carrier family 26 (anion exchanger), member 4
solute carrier family 26, member 4
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Further reading and references
- solute carrier family 26 member 4; MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
- Albert S, Blons H, Jonard L, Feldmann D, Chauvin P, Loundon N, Sergent-Allaoui A, Houang M, Joannard A, Schmerber S, Delobel B, Leman J, Journel H, Catros H, Dollfus H, Eliot MM, David A, Calais C, Drouin-Garraud V, Obstoy MF, Tran Ba Huy P, Lacombe D, Duriez F, Francannet C, Bitoun P, Petit C, Garabedian EN, Couderc R, Marlin S, Denoyelle F. SLC26A4 gene is frequently involved in nonsyndromic hearing impairment with enlarged vestibular aqueduct in Caucasian populations. Eur J Hum Genet. 2006 Jun;14(6):773-9. doi: 10.1038/sj.ejhg.5201611.
- Dossena S, Rodighiero S, Vezzoli V, Nofziger C, Salvioni E, Boccazzi M, Grabmayer E, Botta G, Meyer G, Fugazzola L, Beck-Peccoz P, Paulmichl M. Functional characterization of wild-type and mutated pendrin (SLC26A4), the anion transporter involved in Pendred syndrome. J Mol Endocrinol. 2009 Sep;43(3):93-103. doi: 10.1677/JME-08-0175. Epub 2009 Jul 16.
- Fang Y, Gu M, Wang C, Suo F, Wang G, Xia Y. GJB2 as Well as SLC26A4 Gene Mutations are Prominent Causes for Congenital Deafness. Cell Biochem Biophys. 2015 Sep;73(1):41-4. doi: 10.1007/s12013-015-0562-3.
- Ito T, Choi BY, King KA, Zalewski CK, Muskett J, Chattaraj P, Shawker T, Reynolds JC, Butman JA, Brewer CC, Wangemann P, Alper SL, Griffith AJ. SLC26A4 genotypes and phenotypes associated with enlargement of the vestibular aqueduct. Cell Physiol Biochem. 2011;28(3):545-52. doi: 10.1159/000335119. Epub 2011 Nov 18.
- Kopp P. Mutations in the Pendred Syndrome (PDS/SLC26A) gene: an increasingly complex phenotypic spectrum from goiter to thyroid hypoplasia. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2014 Jan;99(1):67-9. doi: 10.1210/jc.2013-4319. No abstract available.
- Kuhnen P, Turan S, Frohler S, Guran T, Abali S, Biebermann H, Bereket A, Gruters A, Chen W, Krude H. Identification of PENDRIN (SLC26A4) mutations in patients with congenital hypothyroidism and "apparent" thyroid dysgenesis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2014 Jan;99(1):E169-76. doi: 10.1210/jc.2013-2619. Epub 2013 Dec 20.
- Li XC, Everett LA, Lalwani AK, Desmukh D, Friedman TB, Green ED, Wilcox ER. A mutation in PDS causes non-syndromic recessive deafness. Nat Genet. 1998 Mar;18(3):215-7. doi: 10.1038/ng0398-215. No abstract available.
- Scott DA, Wang R, Kreman TM, Sheffield VC, Karniski LP. The Pendred syndrome gene encodes a chloride-iodide transport protein. Nat Genet. 1999 Apr;21(4):440-3. doi: 10.1038/7783.
- Tsukada K, Nishio SY, Hattori M, Usami S. Ethnic-specific spectrum of GJB2 and SLC26A4 mutations: their origin and a literature review. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2015 May;124 Suppl 1:61S-76S. doi: 10.1177/0003489415575060.
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