GLUT2 (glucose transporter 2), encoded by the *SLC2A2* gene, is a facilitative transporter critical for glucose homeostasis. It is predominantly expressed in metabolically active tissues, including pancreatic β-cells, liver hepatocytes, intestinal epithelial cells, and renal tubular cells. As a low-affinity, high-capacity transporter, GLUT2 enables bidirectional glucose transport, adapting to fluctuating blood glucose levels. In pancreatic β-cells, it senses hyperglycemia, triggering insulin secretion, while in the liver, it facilitates glucose uptake during feeding and release during fasting. In the intestine and kidneys, GLUT2 mediates dietary glucose absorption and renal glucose reabsorption, respectively.
Antibodies targeting GLUT2 are essential tools in studying its expression, localization, and function. They are widely used in techniques like immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and flow cytometry to investigate tissue-specific roles in health and disease. Dysregulation of GLUT2 is linked to metabolic disorders; for instance, mutations in *SLC2A2* cause Fanconi-Bickel syndrome, a rare glycogen storage disease, while altered GLUT2 expression is implicated in type 2 diabetes and obesity. Research using GLUT2 antibodies has also explored its role in glucose-sensing mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets for metabolic syndromes. These antibodies aid in elucidating how GLUT2 interacts with hormones (e.g., insulin, glucagon) and dietary factors, providing insights into nutrient signaling pathways and metabolic adaptability.