The function of SLC1A6 (solute carrier family 1 member 6, Ensembl gene identifier ENSG00000105143) is as follows. Sodium-dependent, high-affinity amino acid transporter that mediates the uptake of L-glutamate and also L-aspartate and D-aspartate (PubMed:26690923, PubMed:7791878). Functions as a symporter that transports one amino acid molecule together with two or three Na(+) ions and one proton, in parallel with the counter-transport of one K(+) ion. Mediates Cl(-) flux that is not coupled to amino acid transport; this avoids the accumulation of negative charges due to aspartate and Na(+) symport (PubMed:7791878). Plays a redundant role in the rapid removal of released glutamate from the synaptic cleft, which is essential for terminating the postsynaptic action of glutamate (Probable). {ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:O35921, ECO:0000269|PubMed:26690923, ECO:0000269|PubMed:7791878}.