Transport of dehydroascorbic acid by glucose transporters GLUTs.

Vitamin C is a crucial water-soluble antioxidant and an essential cofactor for enzymes like proline and lysine hydroxylases, playing a vital role in cellular physiology. While sodium-dependent ascorbate co-transporters (SVCT1 and SVCT2) are pivotal for vitamin C absorption and bioavailability, dehydroascorbic acid transporters within the facilitative glucose transporter (GLUT) family complement these functions and are relevant in various cellular, tissue-specific, or pathological contexts. This review focuses on comparing the structural and functional characteristics of GLUTs involved in glucose, dehydroascorbic acid and other substrate transport. It also presents evidence of the physiological and pathophysiological roles of dehydroascorbic acid transporters. Improved understanding of these transporters has the potential to advance strategies for preventing, diagnosing, and treating prevalent diseases such as cancer.