Glucose Metabolism Mastery

📋 Course Outline

1. Glucose Transporters (GLUTs)
2. Glucose Phosphorylation Enzymes
3. Glycolysis Regulation
4. Glycolytic Intermediates
5. Pyruvate Fate
6. Glycerol Metabolism
7. Fructose Metabolism
8. Pentose Phosphate Pathway

📖 1. Glucose Transporters (GLUTs)

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• Glucose Transporters (GLUTs): A family of facilitated diffusion proteins that mediate the transport of glucose across cell membranes without requiring ATP.
• Facilitated Diffusion: A passive transport mechanism where molecules move along their concentration gradient via specific carrier proteins like GLUTs.
• Isoforms of GLUT: Different GLUT proteins (e.g., GLUT1-14) with tissue-specific expression and varying affinities for glucose.
• Km (Michaelis constant): The substrate concentration at which the transporter operates at half its maximum rate; indicates affinity (low Km = high affinity).
• Insulin-regulated GLUT4: A GLUT isoform in muscle and adipose tissue that translocates to the cell membrane in response to insulin, increasing glucose uptake.
• Glucose Sensor: A GLUT (notably GLUT2) that detects blood glucose levels and helps regulate metabolic responses.