SLC16A1
SLC16A1 (solute carrier family 16 member 1), also known as MCT1 or MCT, is a bidirectional proton-coupled monocarboxylate transporter of the plasma membrane. It moves lactate, pyruvate and ketone bodies across the cell membrane and helps maintain intracellular pH. Browse Assay Genie's current range of SLC16A1 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
SLC16A1 encodes monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1), a bidirectional proton-coupled transporter that catalyses the rapid movement of many monocarboxylates across the plasma membrane. Substrates include lactate, pyruvate, acetate and the ketone bodies acetoacetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate, and this transport contributes to the maintenance of intracellular pH. The direction of transport is set by the proton motive force and the concentration gradient of the substrate. MCT1 is a major lactate exporter. It works through alternating outward-open and inward-open conformations, and protonation and deprotonation of Asp309 is essential for the conformational transition.
MCT1 is also described as facilitating export of the protonated form of succinate when muscle cells acidify, as in exercising muscle and the ischaemic heart. It has a role in cellular responses to a high-fat diet: by modulating cellular lactate and pyruvate levels, it contributes to the regulation of central metabolic pathways and insulin secretion, with effects on plasma insulin and blood glucose homeostasis. The protein is found at the cell membrane, including basolateral and apical membrane locations.
The SLC16A1 gene belongs to the solute carrier family 16 group and the major facilitator superfamily, in the monocarboxylate porter family. Previous gene names refer to it as a monocarboxylic acid transporter, and MCT and MCT1 are established aliases. Mutations in the gene are associated with erythrocyte lactate transporter defect, and alternatively spliced transcript variants have been reported. Mouse and rat orthologs are both named Slc16a1.
MCT1 exports lactate and transports pyruvate and ketone bodies, making it relevant to studies of lactate handling and central metabolic pathways.
Proton-coupled monocarboxylate transport contributes to the maintenance of intracellular pH, so SLC16A1 is relevant to acid-base and transport studies.
By modulating lactate and pyruvate levels, MCT1 affects insulin secretion, plasma insulin and blood glucose homeostasis in response to a high-fat diet.
MCT1 facilitates succinate export on acidification in exercising muscle and ischaemic heart, linking it to exercise and ischaemia research.
SLC16A1 encodes MCT1, a bidirectional proton-coupled transporter that moves monocarboxylates such as lactate, pyruvate, acetate, acetoacetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate across the plasma membrane. This supports intracellular pH maintenance. The transport direction depends on the proton motive force and the substrate concentration gradient.
SLC16A1 is the HGNC symbol for solute carrier family 16 member 1. The protein is called monocarboxylate transporter 1, and MCT1 and MCT are common aliases. Earlier gene names described it as a monocarboxylic acid transporter or monocarboxylate transporter. Alternatively spliced transcript variants have been found.
Mutations in SLC16A1 are associated with erythrocyte lactate transporter defect. The gene has orthologs in mouse and rat, both named Slc16a1, so rodent models can be used to study it; check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other solute carrier family 16 members and related membrane transporters with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P53985; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.