Proton Coupled Oligopeptide Transporter 1 (PepT1) Function, Regulation, and Influence on the Intestinal Homeostasis

As the organ with one of the largest surface areas facing the environment and responsible for nutrient uptake, the small intestine expresses numerous transport proteins in its brush-border membrane for efficient absorption and supply of dietary macro- and micronutrients. The understanding of regulation and functional interplay of these nutrient transporters is of emerging interest in nutrition and medical physiology research in respect to development of diabetes, obesity, and inflammatory bowel disease worldwide. The peptide transporter 1 (PepT1, SLC15A1) is abundantly expressed particularly in the intestinal tract and provides highly effective transport of amino acids in the form of di- and tripeptides and features a substantial acceptance for structurally related compounds and drugs. These characteristics bring PepT1 into focus for nutritional and medical/pharmaceutical approaches, as it is the essential hub responsible for oral bioavailability of dietary protein/peptide supplements and peptide-like drugs in eukaryotic organisms. Detailed analysis of molecular processes regulating PepT1 expression and function achieved in the last two decades has helped to define and use adjusting tools and to better integrate the transporter's role in cell and organ physiology. In this article, we provide an overview of the current knowledge on PepT1 function in health and disease, and on regulatory factors modulating its gene and protein expression as well as transport activity. © 2018 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 8:843-869, 2018.