GLUT8

Discovery

GLUT8, originally named GLUTX1, was cloned almost simultaneously by two different groups.

Subcellular localization

Where in the cell GLUT8 is localized in not yet clear. Most GLUT8 is not present at the cell surface. Some co-localization with both the endoplasmic reticulum and late endosomes/lysosomes has been published.

Physiological role

GLUT8 function in vivo remains to be defined, despite suggestions that it may play a role in fertility, being expressed at high levels in testes and in the acrosomal part of spermatozoa. Furthermore, GLUT8 appears to play an important role in the energy metabolism of sperm cells.

GLUT8, when expressed in Xenopus oocytes, mediates glucose uptake with high affinity. Other hexoses are not good substrates of the transporter.

Mice devoid of both copies of the SLC2A8 gene are viable, fertile and do not show any obvious phenotype.

References

References

1. (February 2004). "The SLC2 family of facilitated hexose and polyol transporters". Pflügers Arch..
2. (2000). "GLUTX1, a novel mammalian glucose transporter expressed in the central nervous system and insulin-sensitive tissues". J. Biol. Chem..
3. (2000). "GLUT8, a novel member of the sugar transport facilitator family with glucose transport activity". J. Biol. Chem..
4. (2005). "GLUT8 subcellular localization and absence of translocation to the plasma membrane in PC12 cells and hippocampal neurons". Endocrinology.
5. (February 2002). "The glucose transport facilitator GLUT8 is predominantly associated with the acrosomal region of mature spermatozoa". Cell Tissue Res..
6. (April 2008). "Targeted disruption of Slc2a8 (GLUT8) reduces motility and mitochondrial potential of spermatozoa". Mol. Membr. Biol..
7. (2006). "GLUT8 is dispensable for embryonic development but influences hippocampal neurogenesis and heart function". Mol. Cell. Biol..