SLC16A6 encodes monocarboxylate transporter 7 (MCT7), which functions as a facilitative taurine transporter with low affinity and pH-independent transport characteristics 1. The transporter mediates both uptake and efflux of taurine across plasma membranes, with transport enhanced by interactions with ancillary proteins basigin/CD147 and embigin/GP70 1. SLC16A6 localizes to the basolateral membrane in polarized cells and is expressed in liver, brain, and various cancer cells 1. The transporter shows broad substrate specificity, as monocarboxylates and acidic amino acids can inhibit taurine transport 1. Disease relevance includes associations with melanoma survival, where genetic variants in SLC16A6 predict cutaneous melanoma-specific survival outcomes 2. The gene also influences growth regulation, as mutations in zebrafish result in increased body length, and human variants are significantly associated with height 3. Additionally, SLC16A6 expression is regulated by androgens in prostate cells and responds to glucocorticoid signaling in neuronal contexts 45. The transporter may contribute to metabolic regulation through taurine efflux mechanisms in tissues where taurine concentrations are high.