Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026
08:03
Glucose Uptake Measurement and Response to Insulin Stimulation in In Vitro Cultured Human Primary Myotubes
Published on: June 25, 2017
Myostatin regulates glucose uptake in BeWo cells
Nisha Antony1, John J Bass, Christopher D McMahon
1Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism
|August 23, 2007
Summary
Myostatin, a protein that inhibits muscle growth, was found to decrease glucose uptake in placental cells. Follistatin, a myostatin inhibitor, blocked this effect and increased glucose uptake.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Endocrinology
- Metabolism
Background:
- Myostatin, a TGF-beta superfamily member, regulates muscle growth and tissue metabolism.
- Its role in glucose uptake, particularly in placental cells, requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanism by which myostatin influences glucose uptake in placental cell models.
- To investigate the expression and function of myostatin in choriocarcinoma cell lines.
Main Methods:
- Utilized choriocarcinoma cell lines (BeWo, JEG, Jar) as placental models.
- Quantified myostatin protein and mRNA via immunoblotting and RT-PCR/PCR.
- Assessed glucose uptake using radiolabeled deoxyglucose assays in vitro.
Main Results:
- All tested cell lines expressed myostatin protein and mRNA.
- Myostatin significantly inhibited glucose uptake in BeWo cells concentration-dependently.
- Follistatin blocked myostatin's inhibitory effect and increased glucose uptake independently.
Conclusions:
- Myostatin specifically inhibits glucose uptake in placental cells (BeWo).
- Locally produced myostatin may play a role in regulating placental glucose metabolism.
- Myostatin's mechanism does not involve alterations in ActRII A/B or glucose transporter protein levels.
Related Concept Videos
01:16Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose
Insulin is released by beta cells of the pancreas when blood glucose levels are high. It facilitates glucose absorption and utilization in insulin-dependent cells with insulin receptors on their plasma membranes. Insulin promotes glucose uptake by increasing the number of glucose transport proteins in the cell membrane, allowing glucose to enter the cell. As a result, glucose utilization and ATP production are enhanced.
In addition to accelerating glucose uptake and utilization, insulin has...
In addition to accelerating glucose uptake and utilization, insulin has...
01:02Glucose Homeostasis: Regulation of Blood Glucose
Carbohydrates consumed through foods are converted into glucose, a crucial energy source for the body. In the prandial state, high blood glucose levels stimulate the secretion of insulin from the pancreas. Insulin inhibits hepatic glucose production and stimulates glucose uptake and metabolism by muscle and adipose tissue. The excess glucose is converted into glycogen and stored in the liver and muscles.
During fasting, when blood glucose levels are low, the pancreas secretes glucagon. it...
During fasting, when blood glucose levels are low, the pancreas secretes glucagon. it...
01:26Glucose Absorption Into the Small Intestine
Complex carbohydrates consumed cannot be absorbed into the small intestine in their original form. First, they must be hydrolyzed to a monosaccharide form such as glucose or galactose. These monosaccharides are then transported across the intestinal membrane and into the blood via transcellular transport. The intestinal epithelial cells allow the movement of these monosaccharides with a defined 'entry' through membrane transporter proteins present on their apical membrane and 'exit' via the...
01:27Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion
The pancreatic islets comprising only 1%-2% of the volume are highly vascularized and innervated mini-organs. They contain five endocrine cell types, including β cells that secrete insulin, which is synthesized as a single polypeptide chain, preproinsulin, processed to proinsulin, and finally to insulin and C-peptide. This process is complex and regulated, involving the Golgi complex, the endoplasmic reticulum, and the secretory granules of the β cell.
Insulin and C-peptide are co-secreted in...
Insulin and C-peptide are co-secreted in...
01:58Cell Specific Gene Expression
Multicellular organisms contain a variety of structurally and functionally distinct cell types, but the DNA in all the cells originated from the same parent cells. The differences in the cells can be attributed to the differential gene expression. Liver cells, whose functions include detoxification of blood, production of bile to metabolize fats, and synthesis of proteins essential for metabolism, must express a specific set of genes to perform their functions. Gene expression also varies with...
01:27Glucose Transporters
Glucose transporters facilitate the transport of glucose across the cell membrane. In addition to glucose, some glucose transporters can also aid the movement of other hexoses such as fructose, mannose, and galactose.
Facilitated diffusion-glucose transporters (GLUTs) are encoded by the solute-linked carrier (SLC) family 2, subfamily A gene family, or SLC2A. The 14 GLUT protein members are distributed into three classes:
Facilitated diffusion-glucose transporters (GLUTs) are encoded by the solute-linked carrier (SLC) family 2, subfamily A gene family, or SLC2A. The 14 GLUT protein members are distributed into three classes: