Developmental regulation of genes mediating murine brain glucose uptake

We examined the molecular mechanisms that mediate the developmental increase in murine whole brain 2-deoxyglucose uptake. Northern and Western blot analyses revealed an age-dependent increase in brain GLUT-1 (endothelial cell and glial) and GLUT-3 (neuronal) membrane-spanning facilitative glucose transporter mRNA and protein concentrations. Nuclear run-on experiments revealed that these developmental changes in GLUT-1 and -3 were regulated posttranscriptionally. In contrast, the mRNA and protein levels of the mitochondrially bound glucose phosphorylating hexokinase I enzyme were unaltered. However, hexokinase I enzyme activity increased in an age-dependent manner suggestive of a posttranslational modification that is necessary for enzymatic activation. Together, the postnatal increase in GLUT-1 and -3 concentrations and hexokinase I enzymatic activity led to a parallel increase in murine brain 2-deoxyglucose uptake. Whereas the molecular mechanisms regulating the increase in the three different gene products may vary, the age-dependent increase of all three constituents appears essential for meeting the increasing demand of the maturing brain to fuel the processes of cellular growth, differentiation, and neurotransmission.