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

Sodium-glucose cotransporters are integral membrane proteins that mediate the active transport of glucose across cell membranes by coupling glucose uptake to the inward movement of sodium ions. SGLT1 is mainly expressed in the small intestine where it is essential for absorbing dietary glucose and galactose, and accounts for a small fraction of renal glucose reabsorption. SGLT2 is predominantly found in the renal proximal convoluted tubule and is responsible for reabsorbing the majority of glucose filtered by the kidneys. Inhibition of SGLT2 increases urinary glucose excretion and is the basis for several antidiabetic drugs. Dysfunction or genetic defects in SGLT1 or SGLT2 can lead to specific malabsorption syndromes or glycosuria. The SGLT family is distinct from the facilitative glucose transporter (GLUT) family, which mediates passive glucose movement[1][2][3].

Other names

Sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1)Sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2)SGLT familySLC5A1 (gene for SGLT1)SLC5A2 (gene for SGLT2)sodium-glucose linked transporter

Inhibition of renal glucose reabsorption by blocking SGLT2 (and SGLT1, by dual inhibitors), lowering blood glucose, promotion of glucosuria