GLUT3

Glucose transporter membrane 3 (GLUT3) is known as a solute carrier family 2 (facilitated glucose transporter) member 3 and represents a membrane bound glucose transporter. In one study scientists, using immunoprecipitation and western blot technologies, detected GLUT3 expression in spermatozoa of testis and brain but not in other types of tissue.1 In-house research via immunohistochemistry confirmed GLUT3 expression in testis/spermatozoa, but no GLUT3 was detected in brain. In a study conducted by Howitt BE et. al. anti-GLUT3 demonstrated membranous staining of seminoma cells in 44 cases (65%) of total 67 specimens.2 In addition, anti-GLUT3 labeled embryonal carcinoma (20/20) and yolk sac tumor (8/8) with 100% sensitivity.2 GLUT3 is not expressed in non-germ cell tumors such as Leydig cell tumor and adenomatoid tumor.2 Spermatocytic seminoma, choriocarcinoma, and immature teratoma are also negative for GLUT3.2 Therefore, anti-GLUT3 is a very useful IHC marker to include in a panel for identification of germ cell tumors.