GLUT2

GLUT2 (Glucose Transporter 2) is a transmembrane protein that allows the movement of glucose in the cells of the liver, pancreas, kidneys and small intestine^[1]. This transporter has a low affinity but a high capacity for transporting glucose^[2], meaning that glucose will only be transported across the membrane when it is in high concentration inside a cell. For example after a meal, when there is high glucose concentration in the cytosol of the cells in the small intestine, GLUT2 transporters are inserted into the apical membrane of the epithelial cells in the small intestine to allow transport from the cytosol to the blood^[3].

References

1. ↑ Leturque A (2005) The role of GLUT2 in dietary sugar handling. J Physiol Biochem. 61 (4), 529-37.
2. ↑ Yasuda K (1992) Expression of GLUT1 and GLUT2 glucose transporter isoforms in rat islets of langerhans and their regulation by glucose. Diabetes. 41 (1), 76-81.
3. ↑ Stelmanska E (2009) The important role of GLUT2 in intestinal sugar transport and absorption. Postepy Biochem. 55 (4), 385-7.