SLC16A7
Description
The SLC16A7 (solute carrier family 16 member 7) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 12.
SLC16A7, also known as Monocarboxylate transporter 2 (MCT2), is a protein encoded by the SLC16A7 gene. It serves as a proton-coupled monocarboxylate transporter, facilitating the rapid transport of various monocarboxylates across the plasma membrane. These include lactic acid, branched-chain oxo acids derived from leucine, valine, and isoleucine, and ketone bodies like acetoacetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate. It also acts as a high-affinity pyruvate transporter. While the expression of MCT2 in human tissues appears relatively low based on Northern blot analysis and EST database inspection, its sequence is less conserved across species compared to other MCT isoforms. Notably, MCT2 exhibits the highest affinity for lactate among known mammalian lactate transporters (MCTs 1-4). Additionally, its gene transcription is highly sensitive to changes in hypoxia, intracellular pH, and lactate levels.
SLC16A7 is a proton-coupled monocarboxylate transporter that catalyzes the rapid transport across the plasma membrane of monocarboxylates such as L-lactate, pyruvate, and ketone bodies like acetoacetate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and acetate. Dimerization is essential for its function, with both subunits working together to transport the substrate.
SLC16A7 is also known as MCT2.
Associated Diseases
- multiple sclerosis
- lysosomal storage disease
- Alzheimer disease
- Parkinson disease
- cancer
- glaucoma
- Miyoshi myopathy
