链脲佐菌素是一种氨基葡萄糖-亚硝基脲(glucosamine-nitrosourea)，是一种DNA烷基化试剂，能通过GLUT2葡萄糖转运蛋白（GLUT2 glucose transport protein）独自进入细胞。对胰腺胰岛内胰岛素诱发的β-细胞具毒性。链脲佐菌素对GLUT2 阳性神经内分泌肿瘤细胞有毒性作用。 Streptozotocin, a glucosamine-nitrosourea, is a DNA alkylating agent that enters cells exclusively via the GLUT2 glucose transport protein. Streptozocin, a diabetagen, is especially toxic to pancreatic islet insulin-producing β-cells. It is toxic to GLUT2 positive neuroendocrine tumor cells. An NO donor and DNA methylating agent; Streptozotocin is used in medicine as a drug against certain cancers of the Langerhans Islets. It is cytotoxic to neuroendocrine tumor cell lines that express the GLUT2 glucose transporter; Streptozocin is used to induce Type 1 diabetes for medical research.