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| Glucokinase (Wikipedia) |
The protein I looked at is
Glucokinase. This enzyme catalyzes the phosphorylation of glucose to glucose
6-phosphate. This occurs in the cells of the liver, pancreas, gut, and brain of
both invertebrates and microorganisms. The glucokinase has important role in
regulating carbohydrate metabolism. It does this by acting as a sensor for glucose
causing changes in metabolism in response to the lowering or heightening of
glucose levels.
When genes
of this enzyme are found they are known to cause unusual forms of diabetes or hypoglycemia.
Because glucokinase is the major hexokinase expressed in the liver and in control
of blood glucose homeostasis it sends the sensor for insulin secretion in the
pancreatic cells. Based on the role that glucokinase plays it is currently
causing it to be looked at as a candidate for type 2 diabetic drugs.
In people
with type 2 diabetes they have been found to have defective regulation of
hepatic glucose metabolism. Newly diagnosed patients with this type of diabetes
have elevated levels where obese patients have decreases levels. However, the
defect in diabetes involving changes in glucokinase has still not been
confirmed.
Sources:
Targeting Hepatic Glucokinase in Type 2 Diabetes. Ed. Loranne Agius. American Diabetes Association, 24 Oct. 2008. Web. 16 Feb. 2012.
Glucokinase. Wikipedia, 12 Jan. 2012. Web. 16 Feb. 2012
I liked this post because I have a family member with type 2 diabetes and thought it was interesting to read about possible new drug therapies being tested for treatment. I also was not sure of the mechanism by which type 2 caused problems so this post shed some light on that for me.
ReplyDeleteGretchen,
ReplyDeleteI agree it is interesting to read about the possible new therapeutic drugs being looked into. Type 2 diabetes is so common these days that more attention should be put towards research on the topic.
Absolutely true statement...
ReplyDeleteI was recently diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes - three weeks ago, in fact. It will be interesting to follow up with the Endocrinologist I've been referred to later this week, as I imagine he'll answer the stream of questions I've already formulated. And this is helpful in sorting some of those out. Thanks, Kellie :)