Facilitative glucose transporter family (GLUT) (GLUT)

The facilitative glucose transporter (GLUT) family, encoded by the SLC2 genes, consists of 14 members that mediate the bidirectional transport of glucose and other hexoses across plasma membranes (Mueckler and Thorens, 2013, PMID: 23506888). These transporters are critical for maintaining cellular energy homeostasis by allowing glucose to move down its concentration gradient into cells for glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation (UniProt, 2024). Different isoforms exhibit tissue-specific expression and varying affinities for substrates; for instance, GLUT1 is widely expressed and essential for blood-brain barrier transport, while GLUT4 is insulin-responsive and primarily found in muscle and adipose tissue (StatPearls, 2023). Dysregulation of GLUT proteins is implicated in numerous pathologies, including the metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells, known as the Warburg effect, and the development of type 2 diabetes (Barron et al., 2016, PMID: 27129276). Consequently, the GLUT family represents a significant therapeutic target, with research focusing on isoform-specific inhibitors to starve tumors or modulators to improve insulin sensitivity (Granchi et al., 2016, PMID: 27139335).

Other names

Solute carrier family 2SLC2 familyGlucose transporter familyHexose transportersFacilitated glucose transporters

Facilitated diffusion of glucose and other hexoses across cell membranes down their concentration gradient (Mueckler and Thorens, 2013, PMID: 23506888). Pharmacological modulation typically involves competitive or non-competitive inhibition of the transport pore to reduce glucose uptake in target cells, particularly in oncology (Granchi et al., 2016, PMID: 27139335).