Riboflavin transporter (RFVT1, RFVT2, RFVT3)

Riboflavin transporters are membrane proteins belonging to the solute carrier family 52 (SLC52) responsible for the active, carrier-mediated uptake of riboflavin (vitamin B₂) from the extracellular space into cells. There are three characterized human riboflavin transporters (RFVT1/SLC52A1, RFVT2/SLC52A2, RFVT3/SLC52A3), each with different tissue expression profiles and physiological roles. Riboflavin is essential for the synthesis of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and flavin mononucleotide (FMN), cofactors required in a diverse range of enzymatic redox reactions involved in energy metabolism and antioxidant defense. Genetic defects in riboflavin transporters result in cellular riboflavin deficiency and are the cause of rare neurodegenerative conditions such as Brown-Vialetto-Van Laere syndrome. Riboflavin supplementation is currently the standard therapy for these transporter deficiencies, with efficacy depending on residual transporter function.

Other names

Riboflavin transporter (generic)RFVT1RFVT2RFVT3SLC52A1SLC52A2SLC52A3hRFT1hRFT2hRFT3RFT1RFT2RFT3GPR172B (for SLC52A1)GPR172A (for SLC52A2)PAR1 (for SLC52A2)PERV-A receptor 1 (for SLC52A2)

Therapeutic riboflavin acts as a substrate for these transporters, correcting deficiency due to transporter dysfunction. Inhibitors (in microorganisms) block riboflavin uptake.