MCT2

Monocarboxylate transporter 2 (MCT2) also known as solute carrier family 16 member 7 (SLC16A7). MCT2 is a proton-coupled monocarboxylate transporter. It catalyzes the rapid transport across the plasma membrane of many monocarboxylates such as lactate, branched-chain oxo acids derived from leucine, valine and isoleucine, and the ketone bodies acetoacetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate. It also functions as high-affinity pyruvate transporter. MCT2 has a higher affinity for pyruvate and lactate than MCT1 and its expression is primarily confined to those tissues that take up lactic acid in significant quantities for use as a respiratory fuel (e.g., neurons) or for gluconeogenesis (liver parenchymal cells and kidney proximal convoluted tubules).