Monocarboxylate transporter

The monocarboxylate transporters, or MCTs, are a family of proton-linked plasma membrane transporters that carry molecules having one carboxylate group (monocarboxylates), such as lactate, pyruvate, and ketones across biological membranes. MCTs are expressed in nearly every kind of cell.

There are 14 MCTs corresponding to 14 solute carrier 16A transporters, although the cardinal numbers do not match (for example MCT3 is SLC16A8). MCTs 1-4 have been more carefully investigated than MCTs 5-14.

MCTs can be upregulated by PPAR-α, HIF-1α, Nrf2, and AMPK.