Sodium-glucose symporter

Sodium-glucose Symporter is a transmembrane protein and is an example of sodium-driven Secondary active transport that occurs in the epithelial cells of the small intestines. The sodium-glucose symporter is found on the Apical membrane of the epithelal cells. The sodium and glucose bind to the symporter and are simultaneously both co-transported into the epithelial cells. The sodium driven-glucose symporter uses the potential free energy stored in the sodium electrochemical gradient (low sodium concentration inside the epithelial cells) established by Sodium-potassium pump. Therefore, the sodium influx from the lumen to the epithelial cell is coupled with glucose transport.