Slc2a13, also known as the proton myo-inositol cotransporter, is a member of the solute carrier family 2. It is involved in the transport of myo-inositol across cell membranes, which is essential for various cellular functions such as cell signaling, membrane stability, and osmoregulation. Additionally, it has been associated with the γ-secretase complex, a key player in the processing of transmembrane proteins like the amyloid precursor protein [1].

In Alzheimer's disease research, silencing of Slc2a13 led to a clear reduction of amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) secretion in a dose-dependent manner, while its overexpression increased Aβ40 generation. This indicates that Slc2a13 can regulate Aβ production without affecting Notch cleavage, suggesting it could be a target for Aβ-lowering therapy [1]. In acute myeloid leukemia, patients with high Slc2a13 expression had a better prognosis compared to those with low expression, making it a potential prognostic biomarker [2]. In Parkinson's disease, genetic association studies have shown an interaction between caffeine and genetic variants of Slc2a13 in modulating the disease risk [4]. Whole-genome sequencing also identified that GGGAAA repeats in Slc2a13 were significantly associated with PD, and the SLC2A13 5-copy repeat reduced the penetrance of the LRRK2 G2385R variant [5]. Moreover, in progressive supranuclear palsy, genetic polymorphisms in Slc2a13 have been associated with a longer disease duration [3].

In conclusion, Slc2a13 is crucial for myo-inositol transport and has significant implications in multiple neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Its role in regulating Aβ production in Alzheimer's disease, its prognostic value in acute myeloid leukemia, and its association with Parkinson's disease and progressive supranuclear palsy highlight its importance. The study of Slc2a13 through genetic models provides insights into the underlying mechanisms of these diseases, potentially paving the way for new therapeutic strategies.

References:

1. Teranishi, Yasuhiro, Inoue, Mitsuhiro, Yamamoto, Natsuko Goto, Frykman, Susanne, Tjernberg, Lars O. 2015. Proton myo-inositol cotransporter is a novel γ-secretase associated protein that regulates Aβ production without affecting Notch cleavage. In The FEBS journal, 282, 3438-51. doi:10.1111/febs.13353. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26094765/

2. Lai, Binbin, Lai, Yanli, Zhang, Yanli, Sheng, Lixia, OuYang, Guifang. . The Solute Carrier Family 2 Genes Are Potential Prognostic Biomarkers in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. In Technology in cancer research & treatment, 19, 1533033819894308. doi:10.1177/1533033819894308. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31918632/

3. Couto, Blas, Martinez-Valbuena, Ivan, Lee, Seojin, Lang, Anthony E, Kovacs, Gabor G. 2022. Protracted course progressive supranuclear palsy. In European journal of neurology, 29, 2220-2231. doi:10.1111/ene.15346. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35384155/

4. Yang, Yujuan, Zhou, Zhi Dong, Yi, Lingxiao, Tan, Brendan Jen-Wei, Tan, Eng-King. 2024. Interaction between caffeine consumption & genetic susceptibility in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review. In Ageing research reviews, 99, 102381. doi:10.1016/j.arr.2024.102381. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38914264/

5. Wang, Chaodong, Liu, Hankui, Li, Xu-Ying, Zhang, Jianguo, Chan, Piu. 2024. High-depth whole-genome sequencing identifies structure variants, copy number variants and short tandem repeats associated with Parkinson's disease. In NPJ Parkinson's disease, 10, 134. doi:10.1038/s41531-024-00722-1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39043730/