Abstract

l-Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is an effective antioxidant and an essential cofactor in numerous enzymatic reactions. Two Na(+)-dependent vitamin C transporters (SVCT1 and SVCT2) are members of the SLC23 human gene family, which also contains two orphan members. SVCT1 and SVCT2 display similar properties, including high affinity for l-ascorbic acid, but are discretely distributed. SVCT1 is confined to epithelial systems including intestine, kidney, and liver, whereas SVCT2 serves a host of metabolically active and specialized cells and tissues including neurons, the eye, lung, and placenta, and a range of neuroendocrine, exocrine, and endothelial tissues. An SVCT2-knockout mouse reveals an obligatory requirement for SVCT2, but many of the specific roles of this transporter remain unclear.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call