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Updated: Jun 20, 2026

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Extracellular Glucose Depletion as an Indirect Measure of Glucose Uptake in Cells and Tissues Ex Vivo
Published on: April 6, 2022
Will the original glucose transporter isoform please stand up!
Anthony Carruthers1, Julie DeZutter, Amit Ganguly
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.
American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism
|August 20, 2009
Summary
Glucose transporter GLUT1 facilitates sugar entry into cells via protein-mediated transport. This review details GLUT1
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Monosaccharides utilize diverse mechanisms for cellular entry, including diffusion and protein-mediated transport.
- Equilibrative glucose transporters (GLUTs) are crucial for maintaining cellular glucose homeostasis.
- GLUT1 is the first identified, purified, and cloned equilibrative glucose transporter.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the catalytic and ligand-binding properties of GLUT1.
- To explore models explaining GLUT1-mediated glucose transport.
- To examine GLUT1 cell biology, regulation, and physiological significance.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of GLUT1 research.
- Analysis of kinetic and structural data for transport mechanisms.
- Examination of genetic models (overexpression and null mutants).
Main Results:
- No single model fully explains GLUT1 transport behavior.
- A novel model integrating structural and kinetic data accurately reproduces GLUT1 function in erythrocytes.
- GLUT1 expression is regulated transcriptionally and post-transcriptionally in response to physiological cues.
Conclusions:
- GLUT1's complex behavior necessitates integrated structural and kinetic models.
- Understanding GLUT1 regulation is vital for cellular glucose metabolism.
- Coordination between GLUT1 and GLUT3 is physiologically significant.
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