SLC25 is a large family of nuclear-encoded transporters embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane and in a few cases other organelle membranes.

SLC2512A is a gene encoding the aspartate/glutamate carrier 1 (AGC1). AGC1 possesses six transmembrane alpha helices and N- and C-termini on the cytosolic side of the membrane¹.

AGC1 catalyzes an exchange between intra-mitochondrial aspartate and cytosolic glutamate, an important step in urea synthesis. As a component of the malate–aspartate shuttle (MAS), AGC1 also has a role in the transfer of NADH, carrying reducing equivalents from the cytosol into the mitochondrial matrix. AGC1 is expressed predominantly in heart and skeletal muscle, with weaker expression in brain and kidney. AGC1 is the main AGC isoform present in the adult brain, and it is expressed mainly in neurons. As part of the MAS, AGC1 has a role in the physiology of pancreatic β-cells by influencing glucose-induced activation of mitochondrial metabolism and insulin secretion and it is the only AGC isoform expressed in pancreatic islets and β-cells. 

AGC1 has several Ca²⁺-binding EF-hand motifs located on its long, hydrophilic amino-terminus which extends into the intermembrane space and its activity is strongly regulated by extra-mitochondrial Ca²⁺. Dysregulation of cellular Ca²⁺ homeostasis mediated by AGC1 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of autistic spectrum disorder².