cDNA clones encoding rat GLUT5-small intestinal facilitative hexose transporter were isolated from a jejunum library by cross-hybridization with a human GLUT5 cDNA probe. The cDNA sequence indicates that rat GLUT5 is composed of 502 amino acids and has 81.5% amino acid identity and 87.3% similarity with the sequence of human GLUT5. Expression of synthetic rat GLUT5 mRNA in Xenopus oocytes showed that rat GLUT5 was able to mediate the uptake of fructose and, to a lesser extent, of glucose. RNA blotting studies showed that GLUT5 mRNA was present in rat small intestine, kidney, and brain. Although GLUT5 mRNA is expressed in human testis, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle, it could not be detected by RNA blotting in these rat tissues. Developmental studies showed low levels of GLUT5 mRNA in rat small intestine and kidney during the prenatal period with a rapid induction of GLUT5 expression occurring postnatally. In situ hybridization studies of GLUT5 mRNA expression in the small intestine revealed differential expression along the crypt-villus axis with the highest levels of mRNA being in the midvillus region. In addition, there was quantitatively more GLUT5 mRNA detected in the proximal as opposed to the distal small intestine.