Facilitative glucose transport proteins and sodium-glucose co-transporters in the kidney

Cloning studies have characterized a large gene family of facilitative glucose transporters that are expressed in a tissue-specific manner, and at least two sodium-glucose co-transporters in brush-border membranes of intestinal and renal epithelia. These different transporters play specific roles in glucose transport and homeostasis because of their different tissue distribution, kinetic properties, and regulation of function. This review discusses recent advances in the study of glucose transporters and the regulation of their expression in the normal kidney and in diabetes.