Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Glucose Uptake Measurement and Response to Insulin Stimulation in In Vitro Cultured Human Primary Myotubes
Published on: June 25, 2017
[Glucose transport inhibition in human erythrocytes by calmodulin antagonists]
Abstract:
Calmodulin antagonists (tryphtazin, lidocaine, dykain, palmitate) inhibit glucose transport from human erythrocytes. Glucose efflux inhibition is proportional to the concentration of antagonists in the medium and is of uncompetitive character. It is accompanied by a decrease in the maximum transport rate with the unchanged constant of dissociation in the complex: carrier-sugar. Calcium ionophores A23187 and divaleryldibenzo-18-crown-6 eliminated the inhibiting effect of pharmacological agents on glucose transport. The authors think that the glucose transport inhibition under the influence of calmodulin antagonists may be realized through the calmodulin-dependent chain inhibition under the influence of calmodulin antagonists in the carbohydrate transport system.
Insights
Calmodulin antagonists block glucose transport in human red blood cells by affecting the carrier-sugar complex. Calcium ionophores reverse this inhibition, suggesting a calmodulin-dependent mechanism.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Pharmacology
Context:
- Glucose transport is crucial for erythrocyte energy metabolism.
- Calmodulin is a key calcium-binding protein involved in cellular signaling.
- Erythrocytes lack mitochondria and rely solely on glycolysis for ATP production.
Purpose:
- To investigate the effect of calmodulin antagonists on glucose transport in human erythrocytes.
- To elucidate the mechanism underlying the inhibition of glucose transport by these antagonists.
- To explore the role of calcium ions and calmodulin in regulating glucose transport.
Summary:
- Calmodulin antagonists (tryphtazin, lidocaine, dykain, palmitate) were found to inhibit glucose transport in human erythrocytes.
- The inhibition was concentration-dependent and uncompetitive, decreasing the maximum transport rate but not the dissociation constant of the carrier-sugar complex.
- Calcium ionophores (A23187, divaleryldibenzo-18-crown-6) abolished the inhibitory effects, indicating a calmodulin-dependent pathway.
Impact:
- Suggests a novel regulatory mechanism for glucose transport in erythrocytes involving calmodulin.
- Provides insights into the potential therapeutic targets for modulating glucose metabolism.
- Highlights the interplay between calcium signaling and carbohydrate transport.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Eukaryotic Transcription Inhibitors
Eukaryotic transcription inhibitors usually contain two distinct domains, a DNA...
Glucose Transporters
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:
Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose
In addition to accelerating glucose uptake and utilization, insulin has...
Glucose Homeostasis: Regulation of Blood Glucose
During fasting, when blood glucose levels are low, the pancreas secretes glucagon. it...
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: α-Glucosidase Inhibitors
Acarbose and miglitol are typically...
Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors

