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Iodine Transporters
Several probable iodine transporters have been identified, working in different ways in different parts of the body.
NIS. Sodium/Iodide Symporter. (SLC5A5)
The Sodium (Na+) / Iodide (I-) symporter (NIS) is a special membrane protein that facilitates the movement of iodide, together with sodium, from the blood into the thyroid cells.
The NIS symporter is found not only in thyroid cells but also in non-thyroidal tissues which concentrate iodine, including salivary glands, gastric mucosa, and lactating mammary glands.
Pendrin is an anion transporter. It has been shown to transport iodide, chloride, formate, and nitrate
The Pendrin has been found in many places of the body, especially the thyroid, kidney, and inner ear.
In the thyroid, it is on the apical membrane and transports iodide into the lumen.
The AIT is the Apical Iodide Transporter in the thyroid, and it works in conjunction with Pendrin to move iodide from the cell into the lumen.
I2 Diffusion/Transport Mechanisms