Solute carrier family 2 facilitated glucose transporter member 8 (SLC2A8)

Solute carrier family 2 facilitated glucose transporter member 8 (SLC2A8, also known as GLUT8) is a membrane transporter protein belonging to the solute carrier family 2. It features 12 transmembrane domains and is primarily involved in the facilitated, insulin-regulated transport of glucose and fructose, as well as other hexoses such as trehalose and dehydroascorbate. SLC2A8 is highly expressed in certain tissues including liver and is essential for hepatic uptake of trehalose, which in turn can trigger autophagy through AMPK-ULK1 signaling. The transporter’s function has been implicated in metabolic processes relevant to liver health, energy regulation, and possibly in some disease states such as hepatic steatosis and neurodegeneration through its role in autophagic signaling. It is a functionally validated transporter target for investigative drugs and metabolic interventions, with trehalose itself being a key molecule for experimental modulation of SLC2A8 activity[1][2][3].

Other names

GLUT8GLUTX1GLUT-8Glucose transporter type 8Glucose transporter type X1solute carrier family 2 member 8

Competitive substrate inhibition (trehalose inhibits glucose and fructose influx by competing at the transporter binding site); Modulation of AMPK signaling pathway leading to autophagy induction (via trehalose transport and cellular energy sensing)