Cationic amino acid transporter which transports L-arginine, L-lysine and, to a lesser extent, L-histidine and ornithine (PubMed:28205520). Plays an essential role in gametogenesis (PubMed:21752110). Expressed during the asexual blood stage including in trophozoites, schizonts and free merozoites (PubMed:21752110). Expressed in gametocytes (PubMed:21752110). Expressed during the liver stage (PubMed:21752110). Growth is normal in asexual blood stages, however uptake of arginine and lysine is decreased (PubMed:21752110, PubMed:28205520). Impaired production of male gametocytes and fertile female gametocytes (PubMed:21752110, PubMed:28205520). Rare gametocytes that are produced have unusual membrane structures (whorls) and large vacuoles in their cytoplasm (PubMed:21752110). Belongs to the SLC43A transporter (TC 2.A.1.44) family.