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Updated: May 20, 2026
08:53
Analysis of Nephron Composition and Function in the Adult Zebrafish Kidney
Published on: August 9, 2014
A novel SGLT is expressed in the human kidney
Rajendra K Kothinti1, Amy B Blodgett, Paula E North
1Medical College of Wisconsin, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Clinical Nutrition, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, United States.
European Journal of Pharmacology
|July 7, 2012
Summary
Sodium-glucose cotransporter 3 (SGLT3) is expressed in human kidney proximal tubules and functions as a sodium transporter. This finding is crucial for understanding potential side effects of diabetes medications targeting SGLT2.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Selective inhibitors of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) are developed for diabetes treatment.
- SGLT2 and SGLT3 share homology, but SGLT3's role in the human kidney is largely unknown.
- SGLT2 inhibitors may impact SGLT3 expression or activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and functional role of SGLT3 in the human kidney.
- To determine if SGLT2 inhibitors affect SGLT3.
- To characterize SGLT3 as a sodium transporter in proximal tubule cells.
Main Methods:
- Examined SGLT3 mRNA and protein expression in human kidney tissue and HK-2 cells.
- Over-expressed human SGLT3 (hSGLT3) in COS-7 and HK-2 cells.
- Assessed sodium transport using deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) activation and phlorizin inhibition.
Main Results:
- hSGLT3 mRNA and protein are expressed in vivo and in vitro.
- hSGLT3 over-expression in COS-7 cells increased intracellular sodium without affecting glucose transport.
- DNJ activated hSGLT3 in HK-2 cells, increasing sodium uptake, which was blocked by phlorizin.
Conclusions:
- SGLT3 is expressed in human proximal tubule cells and functions as a novel sodium transporter.
- Increased SGLT3 expression in diabetic nephropathy may contribute to elevated sodium transport, hyperfiltration, and renal injury.
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