SLC37A4 regulates glucose-6-phosphate transport from the cytoplasm to the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum, in order to maintain glucose homeostasis. It also plays a role in ATP-mediated calcium sequestration in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. Mutations in this gene have been associated with various forms of glycogen storage disease. Alternative splicing in this gene results in multiple transcript variants.

The protein contains a putative signal for retention in the endoplasmic reticulum. Its nearest homolog was the bacterial gene UhpC, an E. coli glucose-6-phosphate receptor. Northern blot analysis revealed a 2.0-kb mRNA in human liver. The authors concluded that this gene is likely to be a human glucose-6-phosphate translocase.