Solute carrier family 2 (facilitated glucose transporter) (GLUT family)

The Solute carrier family 2 (SLC2A), commonly known as the GLUT family, consists of 14 membrane proteins that facilitate the transport of glucose, fructose, and other hexoses across cell membranes via facilitated diffusion. GLUT1 (SLC2A1) is the most prominent member, providing basal glucose uptake in most tissues and serving as the primary vehicle for glucose transport across the blood-brain barrier. In oncology, GLUT1 is frequently overexpressed to support the accelerated glycolytic flux known as the Warburg effect, making it a high-priority target for metabolic-based cancer therapies. Conversely, loss-of-function mutations in the SLC2A1 gene result in GLUT1 deficiency syndrome, a severe neurological condition characterized by seizures and developmental delays, typically managed with a ketogenic diet to provide alternative fuel to the brain. Other family members, such as the insulin-regulated GLUT4 and the fructose-specific GLUT5, play specialized roles in systemic metabolism and are also investigated as therapeutic targets for diabetes and metabolic disorders.

Other names

SLC2A familyGlucose transporter familyFacilitated glucose transportersHexose transportersGLUT proteinsGlucose transporter member 1 (GLUT1)Solute carrier family 2 member 1 (SLC2A1)

Inhibition of glucose uptake by blocking the substrate-binding cavity or disrupting the conformational cycling between outward-facing and inward-facing states of the transporter.