MCT3 is encoded by the Slc16a8 gene and contains at least nine members in humans1. Structurally, MCTs have 12 transmembrane spanning domains with cytoplasmic NH2- and COOH-terminals. The COOH-terminal regions are not well conserved among the MCTs isoforms while the membrane spanning domains share the greatest sequence identity3,4. Findings suggest that the N-terminal domain is more important for energy coupling, membrane insertion and correct structure maintenance, whereas the C-terminal domain is more important for the determination of substrate specificity
