Influence of SGLT1 Sugar Uptake Inhibitors on Water Transport

Sodium glucose cotransporters (SGLTs) are cotransporters located in the cell membrane of various epithelia that uptake glucose or galactose and sodium into the cell. Its founding member, SGLT1, represents a major pharmaceutically relevant target protein for development of new antidiabetic drugs, in addition to being the target protein of the oral rehydration therapy. Previous studies focused primarily on the transport of substrates and ions, while our study focuses on the effect of water transport. SGLT1 is implicated in the absorption of water, yet the exact mechanism of how the water absorption occurs or how inhibitors of SGLT1, such as phlorizin, are able to inhibit it is still unclear. Here we present a comprehensive study based on molecular dynamics simulations with the aim of determining the influence of the energetic and dynamic properties of SGLT1, which are influenced by selected sugar uptake inhibitors on water permeation.