Invitrogen™ SLC16A2 Polyclonal Antibody

Monocarboxylates, such as lactate and pyruvate, play an integral role in cellular metabolism. Lactic acid is produced in large quantities as a result of glycolysis, which provides the majority of ATP to cells under normal physiological conditions. However, accumulation of lactic acid leads to a decrease in intracellular pH and cessation of glycolysis. In order for glycolysis to continue at a high rate, lactic acid must be transported out of the cell. This transport process is carried out by a family of monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs), which function as proton symports and are stereoselective for L-lactate. The MCT family consists of at least eight members, MCT 1-8, which contain between 10-12 transmembrane-helical (TM) domains, with the amino and carboxy termini located in the cytoplasm. Defects in the gene encoding for MCT8, SLC16A2, can cause monocarboxylate transporter 8 deficiency (MCT8 deficiency), a defect in cellular hormone transport causing a severe form of X-linked psychomotor retardation and abnormal thyroid levels.