O75746

ARALAR (also designated AGC1) , the neuronal Ca(2+)-binding mitochondrial aspartate-glutamate carrier, has Ca(2+) binding domains facing the extramitochondrial space and functions in the malate-aspartate NADH shuttle (MAS). ARALAR is encoded by the SLC25A12 gene and is expressed in brain and skeletal muscle. ARALAR is required for the synthesis of brain aspartate and N-acetylaspartatemay and plays a role in myelin formation. It is also essential for the transmission of small Ca(2+) signals to mitochondria via an increase in mitochondrial NADH. In addition, ARALAR is implicated in conferring susceptibility to schizophrenia.