Solute carrier family 2 (SLC2)

The Solute carrier family 2 (SLC2) is a group of membrane transport proteins, commonly known as the glucose transporter (GLUT) family, that facilitate the movement of glucose, fructose, and other sugars across biological membranes. This family consists of 14 members (GLUT1-14) categorized into three classes based on sequence homology and substrate specificity. These transporters are vital for maintaining cellular energy metabolism, as they provide the primary mechanism for glucose entry into cells, particularly in the brain, muscles, and liver. Dysregulation of SLC2 family members is linked to various metabolic and pathological conditions, including type 2 diabetes, where GLUT4 translocation is impaired, and cancer, where GLUT1 is often overexpressed to meet the high glycolytic demands of tumor cells (the Warburg effect). Therapeutic strategies targeting this family include the development of GLUT1 inhibitors for oncology and the modulation of GLUT4 for metabolic disorders. However, achieving isoform selectivity remains a significant challenge due to the high structural similarity among family members, and systemic inhibition can lead to severe side effects like neuroglycopenia.

Other names

Glucose transporter familyGLUT familySLC2 familyFacilitative glucose transporter family

Facilitative diffusion of glucose and other sugars across cell membranes along a concentration gradient; competitive and non-competitive inhibition of substrate binding sites.