glycerol transmembrane transporter activity

Definition

Target type: molecularfunction

Enables the transfer of glycerol from one side of a membrane to the other. Glycerol is 1,2,3-propanetriol, a sweet, hygroscopic, viscous liquid, widely distributed in nature as a constituent of many lipids. [GOC:ai]

Glycerol transmembrane transporter activity describes the ability of a protein to facilitate the movement of glycerol across cell membranes. Glycerol is a small, three-carbon molecule that plays a crucial role in cellular metabolism, serving as a precursor for the synthesis of triglycerides, phospholipids, and other important biomolecules. Glycerol transmembrane transporters are integral membrane proteins that create pathways for glycerol to traverse the hydrophobic lipid bilayer of the cell membrane. These transporters typically employ a mechanism of facilitated diffusion, meaning they do not require energy to move glycerol across the membrane but instead rely on the concentration gradient of glycerol. The activity of glycerol transmembrane transporters is essential for maintaining cellular glycerol homeostasis, facilitating the uptake of glycerol from the extracellular environment, and enabling the export of glycerol into the extracellular space. This process is vital for a range of cellular functions, including lipid metabolism, osmotic regulation, and energy production.'
"

Proteins (1)

Compounds (1)