Ultrastructural localization of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) in guinea pig stria vascularis and vestibular dark cell areas: an immunogold study.

Glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) is one of the facilitated-diffusion glucose transporters, which plays a major role in the glucose transport across blood-tissue barriers. We demonstrated localization of GLUT1 in guinea pig stria vascularis (SV) and vestibular dark cell areas, using electron microscopy. GLUT1 immunoreactivity was seen mainly in the SV. Electron microscopically, immunogold particles were localized along the plasma membranes of the basal cells and the basolateral infoldings of the marginal cells. Erythrocyte membranes and the capillary walls in both the SV and the dark cell areas were also positive for GLUT1. These results indicate that GLUT1 is involved in glucose regulation for energy metabolism in the marginal cells and vestibular dark cells, and in glucose transport between blood and perilymph.