Current understanding of glucose transporter 4 expression and functional mechanisms
Tiannan Wang, Jing Wang, Xinge Hu, Xianju Huang, Guoxun Chen
Abstract
mRNA and GLUT4 protein, and GLUT4 translocation in the skeletal muscle, adipose tissues, heart and brain. Overall, a variety of methods such real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, fluorescence microscopy, fusion proteins, stable cell line and transgenic animals have been used to answer particular questions related to GLUT4 system and insulin action. It seems that insulin-induced GLUT4 translocation can be observed in the heart and brain in addition to the skeletal muscle and adipocytes. Hormones other than insulin can induce GLUT4 translocation. Clearly, more studies of GLUT4 are warranted in the future to advance of our understanding of glucose homeostasis.
Topics & Concepts
GLUT4Glucose transporterGlucose uptakeInsulin resistanceChromosomal translocationInsulinCell biologySkeletal muscleGlucose homeostasisAdipose tissueBiologyInternal medicineEndocrinologyBiochemistryMedicineGeneMetabolism, Diabetes, and CancerAdipose Tissue and MetabolismPancreatic function and diabetes