InterPro domain: IPR003663

The sugar transporters belong to a superfamily of membrane proteins responsible for the binding and transport of various carbohydrates, organic alcohols, and acids in a wide range of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms [ 1 ]. These integral membrane proteins are predicted to comprise twelve membrane spanning domains. It is likely that the transporters have evolved from an ancient protein present in living organisms before the divergence into prokaryotes and eukaryotes [ 2 ]. In mammals, these proteins are expressed in a number of organs [ 3 ].

This family includes sugar transporters and the myo-inositol transporters.

1. Sequence and structure of a human glucose transporter. Science 229, 941-5
2. Mammalian and bacterial sugar transport proteins are homologous. Nature 325, 641-3
3. Evidence for a family of human glucose transporter-like proteins. Sequence and gene localization of a protein expressed in fetal skeletal muscle and other tissues. J. Biol. Chem. 263, 15245-8