Skip to main content

MCT8 Transporter

Meaning

The MCT8 Transporter, or Monocarboxylate Transporter 8, is a crucial protein embedded in the cell membranes of various tissues, notably the brain and liver, whose primary physiological function is the active transport of thyroid hormones, specifically T3 and T4, into target cells. This transporter is essential for ensuring that thyroid hormones, which are critical for metabolism and neurodevelopment, can cross the blood-brain barrier and reach their intracellular receptors. Genetic mutations in the gene encoding MCT8 cause Allan-Herndon-Dudley Syndrome (AHDS), a severe X-linked intellectual disability. Its function is paramount for thyroid hormone signaling.