This family includes mitochondrial pyruvate carrier proteins, such as Mpc 1/2 and their homologues. They mediate the uptake of pyruvate into mitochondria [1]. In humans, Mpc1 and Mpc2 associate to form an ~150-kilodalton complex in the inner mitochondrial membrane [1]. MPC1 contains two predicted transmembrane regions. MPC2 contains three predicted transmembrane regions. Several studies have demonstrated MPC involvement in the control of cell fate in cancer and gluconeogenesis in models of type 2 diabetes [2].

1: A mitochondrial pyruvate carrier required for pyruvate uptake in yeast, Drosophila, and humans. Bricker DK, Taylor EB, Schell JC, Orsak T, Boutron A, Chen YC, Cox JE, Cardon CM, Van Vranken JG, Dephoure N, Redin C, Boudina S, Gygi SP, Brivet M, Thummel CS, Rutter J; Science. 2012;337:96-100. PMID:22628558

2: A Method for Multiplexed Measurement of Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier Activity. Gray LR, Rauckhorst AJ, Taylor EB; J Biol Chem. 2016;291:7409-7417. PMID:26823462