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Updated: May 21, 2025

A Rapid and Specific Microplate Assay for the Determination of Intra- and Extracellular Ascorbate in Cultured Cells
Published on: April 11, 2014
Transport of dehydroascorbic acid by glucose transporters GLUTs
1Biomedical Sciences Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, Concepción, Chile Research Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Environment (CIBAS). Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, Concepción, Chile.
This review compares glucose transporter (GLUT) family members that transport dehydroascorbic acid, complementing vitamin C uptake. Understanding these transporters offers new disease treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Cellular Physiology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Vitamin C (ascorbate) is a vital water-soluble antioxidant and enzyme cofactor.
- Sodium-dependent ascorbate co-transporters (SVCT1 and SVCT2) are key for vitamin C uptake.
- Dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) transporters, part of the GLUT family, also facilitate vitamin C entry and are implicated in various physiological and pathological states.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the structural and functional characteristics of GLUTs involved in transporting glucose, DHA, and other substrates.
- To review the physiological and pathophysiological roles of DHA transporters.
- To highlight the therapeutic potential of understanding these transporters for disease management.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on structural and functional data of GLUT family transporters.
- Analysis of existing evidence on the physiological and pathophysiological roles of DHA transporters.
- Comparative analysis of transport mechanisms for glucose, DHA, and other substrates mediated by GLUTs.
Main Results:
- GLUTs exhibit diverse substrate specificities, with some members facilitating DHA transport.
- Evidence supports significant roles for DHA transporters in cellular vitamin C homeostasis.
- Dysregulation of DHA transporters is linked to various pathological conditions.
Conclusions:
- Facilitative glucose transporters (GLUTs) play a complementary role to SVCTs in vitamin C bioavailability.
- Understanding the specific roles and mechanisms of DHA transporters is crucial for cellular physiology.
- Targeting DHA transporters may offer novel therapeutic strategies for diseases like cancer.
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