Which glucose transporter is responsible for placental glucose transport?

The glucose transporter responsible for placental glucose transport is GLUT1. This transporter is crucial during pregnancy, as it facilitates the transfer of glucose from the maternal blood to the placenta and then to the fetus. GLUT1 is a high-affinity glucose transporter, allowing for efficient uptake of glucose even when maternal glucose levels are not extremely high. It is predominantly expressed in the human syncytiotrophoblast layer of the placenta, which plays a key role in nutrient exchange between maternal and fetal blood.

Other glucose transporters, such as GLUT4, are primarily associated with insulin-regulated glucose transport in peripheral tissues, particularly muscle and adipose tissue. GLUT2 functions as a transporter involved in glucose sensing and transport in the liver and pancreatic beta cells but is not the primary transporter in the placenta. GLUT3 is another high-affinity transporter mainly expressed in the brain and neurons, where it plays a crucial role in glucose uptake necessary for high metabolic demands. However, it does not have the primary role in placental glucose transport. Thus, GLUT1 is specifically adapted for the placenta and is the correct choice in this context.