Required for activity of the potassium/proton antiporter KhtU (PubMed:14987767, PubMed:17679694). Involved in protection of the cell from methylglyoxal, a toxic by-product of glycolysis (PubMed:24330391). The transporter is composed of the integral membrane protein KhtU and the regulatory protein KhtT. Part of the khtSTU operon. Induced by salt stress at alkaline pH.