Solute carrier family 2, facilitated glucose transporter member 1 (GLUT-1) (GLUT-1)

Solute carrier family 2, facilitated glucose transporter member 1 (GLUT-1) is a critical transmembrane protein responsible for the facilitated diffusion of glucose into cells (UniProt: P11166). In the human eye, GLUT-1 is the predominant glucose transporter isoform expressed in the corneal epithelial cells, where it plays a vital role in meeting the metabolic demands of the avascular cornea by transporting glucose from the aqueous humor (PMID: 8690036). Proper functioning of GLUT-1 is essential for corneal transparency, cellular proliferation, and effective wound healing (PMID: 7955319). In pathological states such as diabetes, the expression and activity of GLUT-1 in the corneal epithelium can be altered, contributing to diabetic keratopathy and delayed epithelial recovery (PMID: 25603362). While primarily studied as a metabolic marker, GLUT-1 is also investigated as a potential target for drug delivery strategies and in the context of inhibiting metabolic pathways in ocular tumors (PMID: 30107144).

Other names

SLC2A1Glucose transporter type 1, erythrocyte/brainHepG2 glucose transporterGLUT1

Facilitates the rate-limiting step of glucose uptake by providing a pore through which glucose moves down its concentration gradient without the requirement of ATP (UniProt: P11166).