[The role of glucose transporters in human metabolic regulation]

Abstract

Glucose is one of the most important sources of energy in human metabolizm. Cells absorb it by active transport (with SGLT transporters) or by facilitated diffusion (with GLUT transporters). GLUT family consists of 14 proteins grouped in 3 subclasses based on similarities in their architecture. They differ from one another in affinity to glucose, tissue distribution and type of signals that cause their translocaton to the cell membrane what results in different levels of sugar transport into the tissues. SGLT proteins cotransport glucose with Na+ ions. Energy required to this transport is acquired from gradient of Na+ ions that is maintained by Na+/K(+)-ATPase. SGLT family consists of 12 proteins which include sugar cotransporters of anions, vitamins and short-chain fatty acids. Some of them also have a function of glucose sensors as well as water and urea channels.