Tissues with few or no mitochondria, such as erythrocytes and tumor cells, depend largely on glycolysis to generate ATP. The major end products of glycolysis, pyruvate and lactate, must be eliminated from these cells to enable continued glycolytic flux and prevent toxic effects. H+/monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) mediate the transport of lactate and pyruvate. Human MCT2 has a high affinity for the transport of pyruvate (summary by Lin et al., 1998 [PubMed 9786900]).[supplied by OMIM, Feb 2011].
Function: Proton-linked monocarboxylate transporter. Catalyzes the rapid transport across the plasma membrane of many monocarboxylates such as lactate, pyruvate, branched-chain oxo acids derived from leucine, valine and isoleucine, and the ketone bodies acetoacetate, beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetate. MCT2 is a high affinity pyruvate transporter.
Tissue Specificity: High expression in testis, moderate to low in spleen, heart, kidney, pancreas, skeletal muscle, brain and Leukocyte. Restricted expression in normal tissues, but widely expressed in cancer cells.
Similarity: Belongs to the major facilitator superfamily. Monocarboxylate porter (TC 2.A.1.13) family.