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Glucose transport across plasma membrane in human platelets
The Italian Journal of Biochemistry
|September 1, 1986
Summary
Glucose uptake in platelets is limited by transport across the plasma membrane, occurring via facilitated diffusion. This process shows high affinity and is influenced by specific inhibitors and activators, but not insulin.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Physiology
Background:
- Glucose is a primary energy source for cells.
- Understanding glucose transport is crucial for metabolic research.
- Platelets play a role in various physiological processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the kinetics and characteristics of glucose uptake in platelets.
- To identify the rate-limiting step in glucose utilization.
- To explore factors affecting glucose transport in platelet cells.
Main Methods:
- Utilized rapid filtration technique for platelet studies.
- Employed 2-deoxyglucose as a glucose analog.
- Performed kinetic analysis of substrate transport.
Main Results:
- Glucose uptake across the plasma membrane is the rate-limiting step.
- 2-deoxyglucose transport occurs via facilitated diffusion with high substrate affinity.
- Transport is inhibited by cytochalasin B, phloretin, and N-ethylmaleimide.
- Insulin does not affect the rate of glucose transport.
Conclusions:
- Platelet glucose uptake is primarily mediated by a high-affinity facilitated diffusion system.
- Specific inhibitors and activators modulate this transport system.
- The findings provide insights into platelet metabolism and glucose handling.