The SLC2A5 gene encodes solute carrier family 2 member 5 (GLUT5), a facilitative fructose transporter belonging to the glucose transporter (GLUT) family. Unlike other GLUT proteins, GLUT5 specifically transports fructose with high affinity and is expressed predominantly in the small intestine, kidneys, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, testes, and brain. SLC2A5 antibodies are immunological tools designed to detect and quantify GLUT5 expression in research applications. These antibodies are widely used to investigate GLUT5's role in fructose metabolism, cellular nutrient uptake, and its tissue-specific expression patterns under physiological or pathological conditions.
GLUT5 is of particular interest in studies linking excessive fructose consumption to metabolic disorders, including obesity, insulin resistance, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. SLC2A5 antibodies enable researchers to analyze GLUT5 protein localization, expression levels, and regulation in disease models. They are also employed in cancer research, as some tumors exhibit upregulated GLUT5 to support fructose-driven metabolic reprogramming. Common techniques utilizing SLC2A5 antibodies include immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry.
Commercial SLC2A5 antibodies are typically raised against specific epitopes of human or murine GLUT5. with validation in knockout controls to confirm specificity. Researchers must optimize protocols for different sample types due to variations in glycosylation and post-translational modifications of GLUT5 across tissues. Quality-controlled SLC2A5 antibodies remain critical for advancing studies on fructose metabolism and its implications in modern diet-related diseases.