SLC54 Mitochondrial pyruvate carriers in GtoPdb v.2025.3

Abstract

The mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) is composed of SLC54 family members (MPC1 or MPC1L and MPC2) [1, 5, 10], which form functional hetero-dimers [9, 8]. The MPC is expressed in the inner mitochondrial membrane and is responsible for the import of pyruvate into mitochondria [1, 5]. Pyruvate is oxidized to acetyl-CoA by pyruvate dehydrogenase which is localized in the mitochondrial matrix. Ubiquitous disruption of either MPC1 or MPC2 expression results in embryonic lethality [11, 12]. Clinically relevant concentrations of the insulin sensitizers, thiazolidinediones, inhibit the MPC [3]. Other clinically relevant inhibitors of the MPC complex are lonidamine [7, 8], quinolone antibacterials [6], entacapone and nitrofurantoin [8].