Solute carrier family 2 member 9 (GLUT9) (GLUT9)

Solute carrier family 2 member 9 (SLC2A9), commonly known as GLUT9, is a transmembrane protein that functions primarily as a high-capacity, voltage-dependent urate uniporter. Although it belongs to the glucose transporter family, its physiological affinity for urate is significantly higher than for glucose or fructose. GLUT9 is predominantly expressed in the kidney and liver, where it plays a pivotal role in regulating systemic uric acid homeostasis. In the renal proximal tubule, it facilitates the basolateral efflux of urate from the cell into the blood, serving as a critical step in the reabsorption of filtered urate. Genetic variations in SLC2A9 are major determinants of serum uric acid levels; loss-of-function mutations cause familial renal hypouricemia, while high activity is associated with hyperuricemia and gout. Consequently, GLUT9 is a significant therapeutic target for the development of uricosuric agents to treat gout and related metabolic disorders. While several existing drugs like benzbromarone show some inhibitory activity, the development of highly selective GLUT9 inhibitors remains an active area of pharmacological research.

Other names

SLC2A9URATv1Urate transporter voltage-driven 1Glucose transporter member 9Facilitated glucose transporter member 9

Inhibition of renal urate reabsorption by blocking basolateral urate efflux in the proximal tubule.