Gender differences in the gene expression profiles of glucose transporter GLUT class I and SGLT in mouse tissues

Glucose transporters play key roles in controlling blood sugar levels and are recognized as the pharmacological targets of antidiabetic agents. In the present study, we compared the gene expression profiles of glucose transporter GLUT class I and SGLT isoforms in the skeletal muscle, heart, liver, kidney, and brain of male and female mice. The expression profiles of GLUT1-4 and SGLT1-2 in male mouse tissues were similar to those previously reported. Significant gender differences were observed in mRNA expression in terms of individual these glucose transport systems and the tissues examined. Especially, all of the corresponding mRNAs of renal GLUT class I and SGLT isoforms were expressed at higher levels in female mice than in male mice. However, no significant differences were observed in serum glucose concentrations between male and female mice. These results strongly suggest that prominent gender differences exist in the gene expression profiles of these glucose transporters in mouse tissues, and that the quantitative and functional multiplicities of glucose transporters may contribute to the successful regulation of blood glucose concentrations irrespective of gender differences.