Glucose Transporter Biology
Our research
We identified and cloned the cDNA of a member of the glucose transporter family that has been designated GLUT12. In normal adult tissues GLUT12 expression is confined to the insulin-sensitive tissues, heart, skeletal muscle and fat and our work has provided evidence that GLUT12 is a candidate second insulin-responsive glucose transporter. A major focus of our research is the molecular and cellular mechansims and physiological roles of GLUT12 mediated glucose transport in glucose homeostasis and the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes.
GLUT12 was discovered in a human breast cancer cell line and our subsequent studies indicate that GLUT12 is expressed in human breast and prostate tumors but that expression is low to undetectable in the corresponding normal tissues. Our studies currently aim to determine the role of this protein in tumorigenesis. GLUT12 may also represent potential novel therapeutic or diagnostic targets.
Our staff
Our student
- MS EMILY ALEXANDER (BSc Hons)
Our collaborators
- Assoc Prof Greg Steinberg, St Vincent's Institute
- Professor James Best, School of Medicine, University of Melbourne
- Dr Sebastian Jorgensen, University of Copenhagen
- Prof David James, Diabetes and Obesity Research Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney
- Prof Joseph Proietto, Dept of Medicine (Austin Health), Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital
- Assoc Prof Darren Kelly, Molecular Cellular Pathology of Diabetic Complications, Dept of Medicine St Vincent's Hospital
- Dr Elizabeth Williams, Centre for Cancer Research, Monash Institute of Medical Research
Our major grants
- Linking diet to diabetes (MBF Foundation 2008)
- Linking diabetes to an increased risk of breast and prostate cancer (Cancer and Bowel Research Trust 2008)
- Mechanisms that link type 2 diabetes to increased cancer risk (Diabetes Australia Research Trust 2007)
- Targeting the novel glucose transporter GLUT 12 for the early detection of breast cancer. (Friends for an Earlier Breast Cancer Test Grant)
Our key publications
- Wilson-O'Brien AL, DeHaan CL and Rogers S. Mitogen activated and rapamycin sensitive targeting of GLUT12 in renal epithelial cells. Endocrinology, 149:917-924, 2008. CI: 1; IF: 5.045
- Linden KC, DeHaan CL, Zhang Y, Glowacka S, Cox AJ, Kelly DJ and Rogers S.
Renal expression and localization of the facilitative glucose transporters GLUT1 and GLUT12 in animal models of hypertension and diabetic nephropathy.
Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. Jan 290(1): F205-F213, 2006. CI:2; IF: 4.256
- M Macheda, S Rogers and J Best. Molecular and cellular regulation of glucose transporter (GLUT) proteins in cancer. J Cell Physiol. 202(3): 654-62, 2005. CI: 37 IF: 4.362
- Chandler JD, Williams ED, Slavin JL, Best JD, Rogers S.Expression and localisation of GLUT1 and GLUT12 in prostate cancer. Cancer 97: 2035-2042, 2003. CI: 26 IF: 4.800
- Rogers S, Docherty SE, Slavin JL, Henderson MA, Best JD. Differential expression of GLUT12 in breast cancer and normal breast tissue. Cancer Letters 193: 225-233, 2003. CI: 14 IF: 3.049
- Rogers, SD, Macheda, ML, Docherty, SE, Carty, MD, Henderson, MA, Soeller, WC, Gibbs, EM, James, DE, Best, JD. Identification of a novel glucose transporter-like protein - GLUT 12. Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinology and Metabolism 282 (3): E733-E738, 2002. CI: 46 IF: 4.456
- Joost HG, Bell GI, Best JD, Birnbaum MJ, Charron MJ, Chen YT, Doege H, James DE, Lodish HF, Moley KH, Moley JF, Mueckler M, Rogers S, Schurmann A, Seino S, Thorens B. Nomenclature of the GLUT/SLC2A family of sugar/polyol transport facilitators. Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab. 282(4): E974-6, 2002. CI: 81 IF: 4.456
Further information
Contact - enquiries @ medstv.unimelb.edu.au