SLC52A1 encodes a member of the riboflavin (vitamin B2) transporter family. Biological redox reactions need electron donors and acceptors, and riboflavin is the source of the flavin in flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and flavin mononucleotide (FMN), two common redox reagents. As a riboflavin transporter located at the cell membrane, the SLC52A1 protein sits at the point where this vitamin is supplied to cells for flavin-dependent biochemistry.

The SLC52A1 gene belongs to HGNC's solute carrier family 52 and is also grouped with the flavoproteins. UniProt classifies the protein in the riboflavin transporter family. According to the NCBI Gene summary, multiple alternatively spliced variants have been identified, and all of them encode the same protein.

The gene has carried several names. Earlier HGNC names were G protein-coupled receptor 172B and solute carrier family 52 (riboflavin transporter), member 1, and aliases include FLJ10060, GPCR42, PAR2, hRFT1, RFVT1 and GPR172B. These reflect its history of annotation as an orphan receptor before its role in riboflavin transport was recognised.

Two disease-related facts are noted in the sources. Haploinsufficiency of this protein can cause maternal riboflavin deficiency. In addition, UniProt records that, in the context of microbial infection, the protein may act as a cell receptor for retroviral envelopes similar to that of the porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV-A). Researchers studying SLC52A1 expression or localisation can use an SLC52A1 antibody or an SLC52A1 ELISA kit alongside other tools for the SLC52A1 protein.