Part of the ABC transporter complex AraNPQ involved in the uptake of arabinooligosaccharides. Transports alpha-1,5-arabinooligosaccharides, at least up to four L-arabinosyl units (PubMed:20693325). AraN captures the substrate and delivers it to the two transmembrane components (Probable). The complex is composed of two ATP-binding proteins (MsmX), two transmembrane proteins (AraP and AraQ) and a solute-binding protein (AraN). Transcription is repressed by glucose and by the binding of AraR to the operon promoter. L-arabinose acts as an inducer by inhibiting the binding of AraR to the DNA, thus allowing expression of the gene. Deletion of the gene does not affect growth on glucose and arabinose, but it has a negative effect on the ability of the mutant to grow on the alpha-1,5-arabinose oligomers alpha-1,5-arabinobiose, alpha-1,5-arabinotriose and alpha-1,5-arabinotetraose. AraE/araN double mutant is unable to grow in the presence of alpha-1,5-arabinobiose. Belongs to the bacterial solute-binding protein 1 family.