Differences in cytosolic glucose dynamics in astrocytes and adipocytes measured by FRET-based nanosensors

The cellular response to fluctuations in blood glucose levels consists of integrative regulation of cell glucose uptake and glucose utilization in the cytosol, resulting in altered levels of glucose in the cytosol. Cytosolic glucose is difficult to be measured in the intact tissue, however recently methods have become available that allow measurements of glucose in single living cells with fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) based protein sensors. By studying the dynamics of cytosolic glucose levels in different experimental settings, we can gain insights into the properties of plasma membrane permeability to glucose and glucose utilization in the cytosol, and how these processes are modulated by different environmental conditions, agents and enzymes. In this review, we compare the cytosolic regulation of glucose in adipocytes and astrocytes - two important regulators of energy balance and glucose homeostasis in whole body and brain, respectively, with particular emphasis on the data obtained with FRET based protein sensors as well as other biochemical and molecular approaches.