SLC54 Mitochondrial pyruvate carriers in GtoPdb v.2023.1

Pyruvate is oxidized to acetyl‐CoA by pyruvate dehydrogenase which is localized in the mitochondrial matrix. The mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) is composed of SLC54 family members (MPC1 and MPC2) [1, 5], which form functional hetero-dimers [9, 8]. The MPC is expressed in the inner mitochondrial membrane and involved in the import of pyruvate into mitochondria [1, 5]. 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].