A sodium-dependent transport system is responsible for transfer and distribution of vitamins to different parts of the body, the transfer includes vitamins like pantothenate, biotin, and ascorbic acid etc, These transporters belong to Solute Carrier family (SLC). Since vitamins are required for essential metabolic processes in all mammalian cells, such cells have developed intrinsic mechanisms to active accumulation of essential vitamins. Thus transporters help these cells to fulfill their requirement, they include Sodium-dependent Multi-Vitamin Transporter (SMVT), Sodium-dependent Vitamin-C Transporter (SVCT) 1 & 2, Creatine Transporter (CRT1/ CT1). The other vitamin transporters from SLC family include Thiamine Transporter Protein 1 (THTR1), Folate Transporter or Reduced Folate Carrier 1 (RFC1), Thyroid Iodide Transporter (TIT) and Taurine Transporter (TAU) etc. Sodium-dependent Vitamin C Transporter (SVCT), Vitamin C is now known to mediate a variety of enzymatic reactions, including collagen synthesis, the basis for the defect in scurvy, the vitamin also protects tissues from oxidative damage by scavenging free radical. The vitamin C absorption and distribution requires SVCT1 and SVCT2. SVCT2 account for tissue specific uptake of Vit C, expression is widespread occurring in neurons, bone and other tissues. SVCT2 is a 592aa protein in rat (~70kD) and 650aa long in human (chrm 20, gene SLC23A2). It is predominantly prenatal Vit C transporter to most tissues particularly in central nervous system and adrenal glands. Deficiency to this protein is lethal in newborn mice.
Intended for research use only. Not for use in human, therapeutic, or diagnostic applications.