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Glucose transport in lactation.

Peter M Haney1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Section of Neonatology, USDA/ARS, Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA. phaney@neo.bcm.tmc.edu

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|September 24, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Glucose transporter GLUT1 is crucial for milk production. It is targeted to a unique intracellular compartment in mammary cells, facilitating lactose synthesis, which determines milk volume.

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Lactation Biology

Background:

  • Lactose, the main carbohydrate in human milk, dictates milk volume through its synthesis.
  • Lactose synthesis requires glucose transport across intracellular membranes, a process unique to mammary epithelial cells.
  • The glucose transporter GLUT1, typically found on the plasma membrane, was investigated for its role in intracellular lactose synthesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of GLUT1 in regulating lactation.
  • To determine the subcellular localization and activity of GLUT1 during lactation.
  • To test the hypothesis that GLUT1 is essential for delivering substrates for lactose synthesis.

Main Methods:

  • Studied GLUT1 expression, activity, and localization in lactating mouse mammary glands.
  • Utilized cultured mouse mammary epithelial cells for detailed subcellular analysis.
  • Employed Brefeldin A sensitivity assays to characterize intracellular compartments.

Main Results:

  • GLUT1 is targeted to an intracellular compartment within mammary epithelial cells.
  • This compartment is not the Golgi apparatus but a distinct, Brefeldin A-sensitive vesicle population.
  • Findings suggest GLUT1 is vital for transporting glucose to the site of lactose synthesis.

Conclusions:

  • Lactose synthesis may not occur in the Golgi proper, challenging historical assumptions.
  • GLUT1 plays a critical role in substrate delivery for lactose synthesis in the mammary gland.
  • This research provides new insights into the regulation of milk production and lactose biosynthesis.

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