SLC5R

SLC5A1, also known as the sodium-glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1), is a protein encoded by the SLC5A1 gene in humans. This protein is a member of the sodium-glucose cotransporter family, which are responsible for the active transport of glucose across cell membranes. SGLT1 is primarily found in the small intestine and the renal tubules of the kidney. In the intestine, it plays a crucial role in absorbing dietary glucose from the lumen into the enterocytes. This absorption is dependent on the sodium gradient, with sodium ions and glucose binding to the transporter and being moved together into the cell. Similarly, in the kidney, SGLT1 is responsible for reabsorbing glucose from the glomerular filtrate back into the bloodstream, preventing its loss in urine. Mutations in the SLC5A1 gene can lead to a rare genetic disorder called glucose-galactose malabsorption. Individuals with this condition are unable to absorb glucose and galactose in the small intestine, leading to severe diarrhea and dehydration when exposed to these sugars. The understanding of SGLT1 function has also led to the development of SGLT2 inhibitors, a class of drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes by inhibiting glucose reabsorption in the kidneys, thereby increasing glucose excretion in the urine.