This gene encodes a sodium- and chloride-dependent glycine neurotransmitter transporter. This integral membrane glycoprotein is responsible for the clearance of extracellular glycine during glycine-mediated neurotransmission. This protein is found in glycinergic axons and maintains a high presynaptic pool of neurotransmitter at glycinergic synapses. Mutations in this gene cause hyperekplexia; a heterogenous neurological disorder characterized by exaggerated startle responses and neonatal apnea. Two transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene.