Multiple sequence alignment was performed with ClustalW and the results were presented with MEGA6. 7 (B, C) The phylogenetic trees of GLUTs and SGLTs in Homo sapiens. The panel is adapted from the Supplementary Figure 22 by Chen et al. (A) The distribution of glucose transporters in human intestinal epithelial cell. 5, 6 The physiological function of sugars will eventually be exported transporters (SWEETs), which are mainly responsible for efflux and intracellular trafficking of sugars in plants, remains to be characterized in mammals. SGLTs are primarily expressed in the intestine and kidney cortex and harness the energy released from downhill flow of Na + to drive the translocation of glucose against its concentration gradient across membrane. GLUTs are ubiquitously distributed and catalyze facilitative diffusion of glucose down its concentration gradient.

1- 4 The three glucose transporter families have distinct physiological functions and working mechanisms, which are illustrated in a simplified model. Three families of solute carriers have been identified for glucose transport, including the most rigorously studied major facilitator superfamily (MFS) glucose facilitators GLUTs (SLC2), the sodium-driven glucose symporters SGLTs (SLC5), and the recently characterized SWEET (SLC50). Multiple glucose transporters have evolved to shepherd the transmembrane movement of the water-soluble glucose molecules. The cellular uptake of glucose precedes other events concerning glucose metabolism and signaling. The human brain, which generally represents about 2% of total body mass of an adult, consumes approximately 25% of glucose supply. The dietary carbohydrates contain large amount of glucose in the form of monosaccharide or oligo- and polysaccharides, such as maltose, starch, and glycogen. It also serves as an important precursor for biomolecule synthesis, and plays an important role in cell signaling. Glucose is the primary energy source for life on earth.

Glucose transporter