GLUT5 is mainly responsible for the transport of which sugar?

GLUT5 is a specific transporter primarily responsible for the absorption of fructose. This facilitative transporter plays a crucial role in the intestinal epithelium, where it assists in the uptake of fructose from the intestinal lumen into the enterocytes (intestinal cells). Unlike glucose and galactose, which are taken up by other transporters like SGLT1, GLUT5 is uniquely adapted for fructose due to its specific affinity for this monosaccharide. This distinction makes it an essential component in carbohydrate metabolism, particularly in the context of diets containing significant amounts of fruit and sugar.

Understanding these transport mechanisms is critical in human physiology, especially regarding how different sugars are processed and absorbed in the body. Fructose absorption via GLUT5 also highlights the differing pathways for sugar transport and the importance of specific transporters in nutrient uptake.