Involved in phenylalanine and tyrosine uptake. Has also affinity for tryptophan. Plays no significant role in the excretion of accumulated phenylalanine. Deletion of the gene reduces the efficiency of growth at low concentrations of the aromatic amino acids. Belongs to the amino acid-polyamine-organocation (APC) superfamily. Amino acid transporter (AAT) (TC 2.A.3.1) family.