Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 17, 2026
07:29
Real-time Analysis of Gut-brain Neural Communication: Cortex wide Calcium Dynamics in Response to Intestinal Glucose Stimulation
Published on: December 29, 2023
1.2K
Does apical membrane GLUT2 have a role in intestinal glucose uptake?
1Department of Physiology and BHF Centre of Research Excellence, King's College London, School of Medicine, London, SE1 9HN, UK.
F1000Research
|February 12, 2015
Summary
The low-affinity glucose transporter, GLUT2, in the small intestine may reduce glucose absorption by facilitating reflux. This transporter also acts as an osmoregulator, preventing excessive changes in enterocyte volume.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Molecular Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- The non-saturable component of intestinal glucose absorption is linked to high glucose concentrations.
- The low-affinity glucose and fructose transporter, GLUT2, is proposed to mediate this absorption at the small intestinal apical border.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of GLUT2 in intestinal glucose absorption.
- To determine the mechanism by which GLUT2 affects glucose transport and enterocyte volume.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a computer model to simulate glucose, sodium, and water flows.
- Analyzed differential equations for transport between various compartments (luminal, cell, interstitial, capillary).
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that apical GLUT2 can reduce net transcellular glucose absorption by facilitating glucose reflux.
- Showed that GLUT2 can reduce absorption when coupled with uphill transport via SGLT1.
- Indicated that apical GLUT2 functions as an osmoregulator, mitigating enterocyte volume changes.
Conclusions:
- Upregulation of apical GLUT2 may decrease net glucose absorption and increase paracellular flow.
- Apical GLUT2 plays a role in regulating enterocyte volume under varying luminal glucose conditions.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Glucose Absorption Into the Small Intestine
37.7K
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...
37.7K
01:27Glucose Transporters
28.5K
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:
28.5K
01:25Carbohydrate Absorption
11.1K
Carbohydrates are essential macronutrients that serve as the body's primary energy source. Their digestion begins in the mouth, where salivary amylase partially breaks down complex carbohydrates such as starch into smaller oligosaccharides. This mechanical and enzymatic activity prepares carbohydrates for further processing in the gastrointestinal tract.
After being swallowed, the partially digested carbohydrates mix with gastric secretions in the stomach. However, the acidic environment...
After being swallowed, the partially digested carbohydrates mix with gastric secretions in the stomach. However, the acidic environment...
11.1K
01:30Membrane Proteins
31.7K
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...
31.7K
01:55Secondary Active Transport
141.7K
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...
141.7K
01:32Secondary Active Transport
14.5K
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...
14.5K