SLAH3

SLAH3, or Slow Anion Channel-Associated 3, is a gene that encodes a member of the SLAC1/SLAC/SLAH family of plant anion channels. In Arabidopsis thaliana, SLAH3 is predicted to encode a multi-pass transmembrane protein localized to the plasma membrane, and has homologs in several flowering plants, indicating a conserved role in plant ion transport.

Its expression is detected in guard cells and root tissues, consistent with proposed functions in stomatal regulation and nutrient transport. Functional studies indicate that SLAH3 forms an anion channel that can mediate efflux of nitrate and other anions under specific signaling conditions.

Regulation of SLAH3 is linked to abscisic acid (ABA) signaling and phosphorylation by kinases from the SnRK2 family, such as OST1; these regulatory interactions enable SLAH3 activity during stress and contribute to changes in membrane potential and cell turgor required for stomatal closure and nutrient balance.

Research on SLAH3 is part of broader efforts to understand the SLAC/SLAH channel family and their roles in plant water use efficiency, salt tolerance, and nitrogen metabolism. The gene is studied alongside SLAC1 and SLAH1–SLAH2 to dissect redundant and distinct functions within guard cells and root tissues.