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Related Concept Videos

Glucose Transporters01:27

Glucose 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:
Glucose Absorption Into the Small Intestine01:26

Glucose 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...
Secondary Active Transport01:32

Secondary Active Transport

One example of how cells use the energy contained in electrochemical gradients is demonstrated by glucose transport into cells. The ion vital to this process is sodium (Na+), which is typically present in higher concentrations extracellularly than in the cytosol. Such a concentration difference is due, in part, to the action of an enzyme "pump" embedded in the cellular membrane that actively expels Na+ from a cell. Importantly, as this pump contributes to the high concentration of...
Secondary Active Transport01:55

Secondary Active Transport

One example of how cells use the energy contained in electrochemical gradients is demonstrated by glucose transport into cells. The ion vital to this process is sodium (Na+), which is typically present in higher concentrations extracellularly than in the cytosol. Such a concentration difference is due, in part, to the action of an enzyme “pump” embedded in the cellular membrane that actively expels Na+ from a cell. Importantly, as this pump contributes to the high concentration of...
Membrane Proteins01:30

Membrane Proteins

Plasma membranes have integral transmembrane proteins involved in facilitated transport. These proteins are collectively referred to as transport proteins, and they function as either channels for the material or as carriers themselves. Channel proteins have hydrophilic domains exposed to the intracellular and extracellular fluids and a hydrophilic channel through their core that provides a hydrated opening for solutes to pass through the membrane layers. Passage through the channel allows...
Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose01:16

Hormones 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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Quantitative Measurement of GLUT4 Translocation to the Plasma Membrane by Flow Cytometry
05:39

Quantitative Measurement of GLUT4 Translocation to the Plasma Membrane by Flow Cytometry

Published on: November 7, 2010

The many ways to regulate glucose transporter 4.

Amira Klip1

  • 1Cell Biology Program, Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada. amira@sickkids.ca

Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism = Physiologie Appliquee, Nutrition Et Metabolisme
|May 19, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Glucose uptake in muscle cells relies on glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4). Different stimuli like insulin or exercise trigger distinct mechanisms to control GLUT4 levels, impacting glucose metabolism.

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Last Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Quantitative Measurement of GLUT4 Translocation to the Plasma Membrane by Flow Cytometry
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Quantitative Measurement of GLUT4 Translocation to the Plasma Membrane by Flow Cytometry

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Extracellular Glucose Depletion as an Indirect Measure of Glucose Uptake in Cells and Tissues Ex Vivo
10:35

Extracellular Glucose Depletion as an Indirect Measure of Glucose Uptake in Cells and Tissues Ex Vivo

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Detection of Detergent-sensitive Interactions Between Membrane Proteins
10:09

Detection of Detergent-sensitive Interactions Between Membrane Proteins

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) is key for glucose uptake in skeletal muscle.
  • GLUT4 translocation to the cell surface increases in response to insulin, contraction, depolarization, and energy deprivation.
  • Distinct signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms regulate GLUT4 trafficking under different physiological conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the diverse mechanisms controlling glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) surface levels in skeletal muscle.
  • To differentiate the signaling pathways and endocytic routes involved in GLUT4 regulation by insulin, contraction, and energy status.
  • To explore how glycolytic enzymes modulate GLUT4 activity.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated insulin-mediated exocytosis of GLUT4 vesicles.
  • Analyzed contraction, depolarization, and energy deprivation-induced reduction in GLUT4 endocytosis.
  • Examined the roles of Akt, AMP-activated protein kinase, and Ca2+-dependent signals in GLUT4 regulation.
  • Characterized clathrin-dependent and independent GLUT4 internalization pathways.
  • Assessed the contribution of glyceraldehyde-3-dehydrogenase and hexokinase II to GLUT4 activity modulation.

Main Results:

  • Insulin promotes GLUT4 exocytosis via Akt, Rabs, and actin remodeling.
  • Contraction, depolarization, and energy deprivation decrease GLUT4 endocytosis through AMP-activated protein kinase and Ca2+-dependent signals.
  • GLUT4 internalizes via clathrin-dependent and independent routes; the latter is affected by energy status and AMP-activated protein kinase.
  • Glycolytic enzymes glyceraldehyde-3-dehydrogenase and hexokinase II bind to GLUT4, modulating its intrinsic activity.

Conclusions:

  • Skeletal muscle employs distinct, stimulus-specific mechanisms to regulate GLUT4 trafficking and glucose uptake.
  • Understanding these pathways is crucial for metabolic health and treating conditions like diabetes.
  • Modulation of GLUT4 intrinsic activity by associated enzymes offers another layer of metabolic control.