Glucose transporter type 9 (GLUT9)

Glucose transporter type 9 (GLUT9, encoded by the SLC2A9 gene) is a facilitative membrane transporter primarily expressed in the kidneys, liver, and other epithelia. It exists as two main splice variants, GLUT9a and GLUT9b, which differ in cellular localization. It is unique among glucose transporters for its high-capacity transport of urate (uric acid) in addition to hexose sugars such as glucose and fructose. In the kidney, GLUT9 regulates serum uric acid by reabsorbing urate from the renal tubules into the blood; it also participates in glucose handling. Mutations in SLC2A9 can cause renal hypouricemia or predispose to gout, and altered GLUT9 function has been implicated in obesity, metabolic syndrome, and chronic kidney diseases. No drugs are known to directly target GLUT9, but it is mechanistically linked to the action of uricosuric drugs. Serum uric acid concentration can serve as a biomarker of its function or dysfunction. Dysregulation presents safety concerns involving uric acid metabolism, such as risk of kidney stones or gout.

Other names

GLUT9Solute carrier family 2 member 9SLC2A9

Inhibition or modulation of urate reabsorption/excretion (for drugs that might target GLUT9)