Sodium-glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1) and Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) (SGLT1 and SGLT2)

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1) is encoded by the SLC5A1 gene and primarily expressed in the brush-border of intestinal epithelial cells and in renal tubules, facilitating the absorption of glucose, galactose, sodium, and water into cells. SGLT1 plays a critical role in nutrient absorption after oral intake and is implicated in glucose-galactose malabsorption when mutated. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), encoded by the SLC5A2 gene, is found mainly in the early segments of the proximal renal tubule, responsible for about 97% of glucose reabsorption from the glomerular filtrate in the kidneys. Pharmacological inhibition of SGLT2 leads to increased urinary glucose excretion, which lowers blood glucose levels, and SGLT2 inhibitors have shown additional benefits in cardiovascular and renal disease management. Both proteins belong to the sodium-dependent glucose transporter family (SGLT), a subset of the solute carrier family (SLC5), and utilize the energy from the sodium gradient to transport glucose against its concentration gradient via secondary active transport (symport). They are structurally classified as integral membrane proteins with 14 transmembrane alpha-helices, and both play essential roles in sugar absorption, homeostasis, and human disease.

Other names

Solute carrier family 5 member 1 (SLC5A1)Solute carrier family 5 member 2 (SLC5A2)

Inhibition of sodium-glucose cotransport (prevents glucose reabsorption in kidney and/or absorption in intestine), Increased urinary glucose excretion (SGLT2 inhibitors), Reduced postprandial glucose absorption (SGLT1 inhibitors)