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SMIT1 Transporter

Meaning

The SMIT1 transporter, or Sodium/Myo-Inositol Transporter 1, is a specific protein embedded in the cell membrane responsible for the active, energy-dependent transport of myo-inositol into various cell types. This transporter utilizes the sodium gradient established by the Na+/K+-ATPase pump to drive the cellular uptake of inositol against its concentration gradient. In the context of hormonal health, SMIT1 is crucial in tissues like the kidney, brain, and ovaries, where it ensures sufficient intracellular concentrations of myo-inositol for its role as a key second messenger in insulin and gonadotropin signaling pathways. The function of this transporter is a rate-limiting step for the biological activity of orally administered inositol.