SLC28A2 encodes a sodium-dependent, purine-selective nucleoside transporter that mediates uptake of purine nucleosides (including inosine and adenosine) and uridine, playing a critical role in nucleoside salvage pathways across kidney and other tissues. The transporter exhibits the N1/cif (concentrative nucleoside transporter 2, CNT2) phenotype and also functions in organic compound transport across the blood-testis barrier. Genetic variation in SLC28A2 influences disease susceptibility and drug response. Common promoter variants such as rs2413775 (-146T>A) enhance transcription factor binding and increase CNT2 expression, potentially altering pharmacokinetics of nucleoside analogs 1. In Han Chinese populations, SLC28A2 polymorphisms associate with serum uric acid levels, hyperuricemia, and gout risk 2. The rs11854484 variant predicts clinically significant anemia in hepatitis C patients receiving protease inhibitor-based triple therapy 3, and rs11854484 TT genotype associates with sustained virological response to peginterferon-ribavirin treatment 4. In rectal cancer, elevated SLC28A2 expression correlates with resistance to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and independently predicts worse local recurrence-free, metastasis-free, and disease-specific survival 5, suggesting SLC28A2 as a potential therapeutic target in this context. The gene also participates in vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation following vascular injury through glutamine transporter regulation 6.