
What is the role of GLUT4 in insulin response?
GLUT4 is the insulin-responsive glucose transporter responsible for postprandial glucose clearance. In muscle and adipose cells, GLUT4 is packaged in vesicles that are released upon stimulation of the insulin receptor and, in the case of muscle, also in response to exercise (Bryant et al., 2002).
What stimulates GLUT4 translocation?
In skeletal muscle, muscle contractions increase GLUT4 translocation several fold, and this is likely regulated by RAC1 and AMP-activated protein kinase. Muscle stretching also stimulates GLUT4 translocation and glucose uptake in rodent muscle via RAC1.
How is GLUT4 released from adipose cells?
In muscle and adipose cells, GLUT4 is packaged in vesicles that are released upon stimulation of the insulin receptor and, in the case of muscle, also in response to exercise (Bryant et al., 2002 ).
What is GLUT4 (Glucose transporter 4)?
GLUT4 is a key component in glucose homeostasis and the removal of glucose from circulation. [1] [2] GLUT4 is part of a family of glucose transporter proteins containing 12-transmembrane domains.

What hormone stimulates GLUT4?
Thyroid hormone stimulates GLUT4 protein expression in both red and white skeletal muscle fiber types. Due to the novel observation of fiber type variances in GLUT4 mRNA induction by T3, a Western blot using total membrane protein isolated from the identical muscle preparations as used in Fig.
What stimulates GLUT4 translocation?
Insulin stimulates glucose uptake by altering the subcellular distribution of glucose transporter 4 (Glut4) from intracellular stores to the plasma membrane, a process known as Glut4 translocation (1, 2).
How is GLUT4 regulated?
Recent information indicates that glut4 gene transcription is regulated by a number of factors in skeletal muscle that include MEF2, MyoD myogenic proteins, thyroid hormone receptors, Kruppel-like factor KLF15, NF1, Olf-1/Early B cell factor and GEF/HDBP1.
What causes the GLUT4 transporter to move to the cell membrane?
GLUT4 in a nutshell Following a meal, insulin is secreted by the pancreas and engages its receptor on the surface of myocytes and adipocytes, thereby activating the canonical PI3K–AKT pathway. Activation of this pathway is necessary and sufficient to trigger exocytosis of GSVs to the plasma membrane.
Does insulin stimulated GLUT4 translocation?
Assessment of GLUT4 translocation in muscle and muscle cell lines has revealed insulin-stimulated increases at the cell surface of between two- and sixfold in human and rat muscles, respectively, in which the levels of cell surface GLUT4 were measured using affinity labelling approaches [29,32, 33, 34].
How does exercise increase GLUT4?
The glucose transporter GLUT4 is critical for skeletal muscle glucose uptake in response to insulin and muscle contraction/exercise. Exercise increases GLUT4 translocation to the sarcolemma and t-tubule and, over the longer term, total GLUT4 protein content.
How is insulin activated?
Upon activation, the receptor catalyzes the tyrosine phosphorylation of a number of substrates. One family of these, the insulin receptor substrate (IRS) proteins, initiates activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway, resulting in stimulation of protein kinases such as Akt and atypical protein kinase C.
How are glucose transporters regulated?
Despite daily fasting and feeding, plasma glucose levels are normally maintained within a narrow range owing to the hormones insulin and glucagon. Insulin increases glucose uptake into fat and muscle cells through the regulated trafficking of vesicles that contain glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4).
How does glucose transport protein 4 GLUT4 acts to regulate blood sugar levels a meal?
GLUT4 (SLC2A4) is the insulin-responding glucose transporter, found predominantly in muscle cells and adipocytes (fat cells). After a meal, glucose that is absorbed from the digestive system and circulates in the blood now stimulates the release of insulin from the pancreas (Figure 4.10).
What inhibits GLUT4?
Thus, insulin and exercise are two independent stimuli causing GLUT4 recruitment to the membrane in muscle and adipose cells. Interestingly, GLUT4 is inhibited by protease inhibitors, thus causing development of insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus in treated patients.
Which enables glucose transport into cells?
GLUT -4Solution : (D) GLUT -4 enable glucose transport into cells.
Is GLUT4 and insulin receptor?
Abstract. In skeletal muscle and adipose tissue, insulin-stimulated glucose uptake is dependent upon translocation of the insulin-responsive glucose transporter GLUT4 from intracellular storage compartments to the plasma membrane.
What stimulates the insertion of glut4s into the Sarcolemma?
Prior exercise enhances the insulin-stimulated GLUT4 increase in the sarcolemma and endosomes. GLUT4 proteins originating from GSVs are inserted in the cell surface membranes upon insulin stimulation [23].
How does glucose transport protein 4 GLUT4 acts to regulate blood sugar levels a meal?
GLUT4 (SLC2A4) is the insulin-responding glucose transporter, found predominantly in muscle cells and adipocytes (fat cells). After a meal, glucose that is absorbed from the digestive system and circulates in the blood now stimulates the release of insulin from the pancreas (Figure 4.10).
How does insulin trigger the uptake of glucose?
Insulin increases glucose uptake mainly by enriching the concentration of Glut4 proteins at the plasma membrane, rather than by increasing the intrinsic activity of the transporter (2,3).
How does insulin alter glucose transport by facilitated diffusion?
Two important effects are: 1. Insulin facilitates entry of glucose into muscle, adipose and several other tissues. The only mechanism by which cells can take up glucose is by facilitated diffusion through a family of hexose transporters.
Which glucose transporter is primarily expressed in mature skeletal muscle and fat tissues?
Insulin-stimulated glucose uptake is primarily mediated by the transporter isoform GLUT4, which is predominantly expressed in mature skeletal muscle and fat tissues.
Does wortmannin inhibit P38?
These pathways are differentially inhibited by wortmannin, demonstrating that the two pathways do not operate in series. Conversely, inhibitors of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) imply that p38 MAPK is involved only in the regulation of the pathway leading to the insulin-stimulated activation of GLUT4.
What is the mechanism of GLUT4?
The mechanism for GLUT4 is an example of a cascade effect, where binding of a ligand to a membrane receptor amplifies the signal and causes a cellular response. In this case, insulin binds to the insulin receptor in its dimeric form and activates the receptor's tyrosine-kinase domain.
Why does GLUT4 increase in skeletal muscle cells?
In striated skeletal muscle cells, GLUT4 concentration in the plasma membrane can increase as a result of either exercise or muscle contraction. During exercise, the body needs to convert glucose to ATP to be used as energy.
What is the primary transporter of glucose?
GLUT4, however, is still believed to be the primary transporter for glucose. Much like in other tissues, GLUT4 also responds to insulin signaling, and is transported into the plasma membrane to facilitate the diffusion of glucose into the cell.
What is a GLUT4 carrier?
The GLUT4 carrier vesicles are either transferrin positive or negative, and are recruited by different stimuli. Transferrin-positive GLUT4 vesicles are utilized during muscle contraction while the transferrin-negative vesicles are activated by insulin stimulation as well as by exercise.
What is the primary transporter used in facilitated diffusion?
In order to increase glucose levels in the cell, GLUT4 is the primary transporter used in this facilitated diffusion.
What is the UBX domain of GLUT4?
Structure. GLUT4 also contains a UBX-domain. These are ubiquitin -regulatory regions that can assist with cell signaling. Like all proteins, the unique amino acid arrangement in the primary sequence of GLUT4 is what allows it to transport glucose across the plasma membrane.
What is the GLUT4 gene?
GLUT4. Glucose transporter type 4 ( GLUT-4 ), also known as solute carrier family 2, facilitated glucose transporter member 4, is a protein encoded, in humans, by the SLC2A4 gene. GLUT4 is the insulin -regulated glucose transporter found primarily in adipose tissues and striated muscle (skeletal and cardiac).
Introduction
Among the numerous homeostatic events maintained by the human body, the blood glucose level is a significant physiologic aspect under persistent tight regulation. Glucose is an essential energy source that requires careful regulation within the body as both too much or too little glucose can cause detrimental effects.
Cellular
GLUT4 is part of a family of glucose transporter proteins containing 12-transmembrane domains. It is expressed primarily in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. Unique N-terminal and COOH-terminal sequences are responsible for GLUT4’s responsiveness to insulin signaling and membrane trafficking.
Function
GLUT4 exists in skeletal muscle cells, adipocytes, and cardiomyocytes. It is principally responsible for insulin-stimulated glucose uptake into muscle and adipose cells. Approximately 80% of glucose gets transported into muscle cells.
Mechanism
Insulin-regulated GLUT4 translocation can occur by two signaling pathways. One pathway involves lipid kinase phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). Insulin binds to the insulin receptor found on the target cell surface, causing the receptor to undergo a conformational change which activates its tyrosine-kinase domain intracellularly.
Clinical Significance
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has increased dramatically over the years and continues to do so at an alarming rate. It is a disease characterized by insulin resistance, meaning the insulin produced by the body is not enough to meet the glucose transport demands, leading to an elevated amount of glucose remaining in the body’s circulating plasma.
GLUT4: What is it and how does it help me to lose weight?
Once again, weight loss is at the top of the public health agenda, with a recent Victorian State Government campaign featuring graphic images of “toxic fat”. The rise and rise of obesity in Australia has contributed to exponential increases in health costs which are unsustainable in the long term.
EXCESS SUGAR AND CALORIES
Sugar has been heavily added to our foods over the past decade and is a major contributing factor to the rapid increase of diabetes and obesity in our population. Sugar can be easily over-consumed due to its low satiety value (how full a food makes you feel), which ultimately means an excess consumption of calories.
GLUCOSE TRANSPORTER 4 (GLUT4)
Glucose Transporter 4, or GLUT4, is a naturally-occurring protein in your body that can do amazing things with the excess sugar and calories in your body. To expend calories, and in this specific example, sugar, you need three biological processes to happen:
EXERCISE IMPROVES GLUCOSE TRANSPORT
What sort of exercise will give you the most GLUT4 activity? Resistance training! That is, using and moving loads or weights. Research has found that resistance training improves insulin-mediated glucose transport, and increases GLUT4 activity through muscular contraction ( Holten et al., 2004; Dela & Kjaer, 2006; Ivy, 1997 ).
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Human insulin (Humulin R) was obtained from Eli Lilly Canada (Toronto, ON, Canada). SB203580 was purchased from Calbiochem (La Jolla, CA). Wortmannin, DNase I, phthalic acid dinonyl ester, and o -phenylenediamine dihydrochloride (OPD) were from Sigma (St. Louis, MO). Collagenase type 2 was purchased from Worthington (Lakewood, NJ).
RESULTS
The creation of C57Bl/6J mice carrying a transgene constructed using the human GLUT4 promoter, GLUT4myc cDNA, and a polyadenylation signal sequence is described in research design and methods.
DISCUSSION
Insulin causes a rapid translocation of GLUT4 from intracellular membrane compartments to the plasma membrane of muscle and fat tissues, and this phenomenon is required for insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue ( 2, 3 ).
Article Information
This work was supported by a grant to A.K. from the Canadian Diabetes Association. D.K. was supported by a fellowship from the Swiss National Science Foundation (grant no. 81ZH-57433), by the Research Institute of The Hospital for Sick Children (Clinician Scientist Award), and by Zürcher Diabetes-Gesellschaft. G.S.
How to activate glutes?
You still need to remember to squeeze those glutes, but these exercises are some of the best for glute activation: 1. Donkey kick. Start in a table position with your hands underneath your shoulders and your knees directly under your hips.
What muscles are involved in glute activation?
When glute activation isn’t happening, two other muscle groups take on the brunt of the work: your hamstrings and your lumbar paraspinal muscles , which help keep your spine erect. This can lead to hamstring cramps and back pain.
How to get glutes to pull back?
Focus on squeezing your glutes to pull your back and glutes off the floor. Lift with your glutes until your body is in a straight line from your chest to your knees. Hold this position for a couple of seconds while squeezing your glutes. Using your glutes to support your weight, slowly lower yourself to the floor. 5.
How to make sure glutes are turning on?
There are a couple of cues you can use to make sure your glutes are “turning on.”. Marko says thinking of squeezing your glutes is ultimately the best cue out there. But you can also try: Watching yourself in the mirror to make sure you can see this squeeze. Tapping your glutes to cue them when they’re supposed to fire.
How to get rid of glutes?
Hold the top position while squeezing your glutes for a couple of seconds before returning your legs to the floor. 4. Bridge. Start by lying down on the floor with your hands at your sides. Bend your knees and pull your feet toward your butt until they’re directly underneath your knees.
What to do if you have sleepy glutes?
Tip: If you have “sleepy” glutes, do several of the other exercises before tackling goblet squats. Since this one “works all the major muscle groups of the lower body,” White says, your stronger muscles may take over if your glutes aren’t warmed up.
How to get your right arm to move?
Engage your core and your right glute as you lift your right leg and left arm off the floor. Bring them up until they’re extended straight and in line with your back. Hold this position for a couple of seconds before returning your arm and leg to their starting position. Repeat with your left leg and your right arm.
What is glute activation?
Glute Activation is about more than doing a bazillions squats and lunges during your workouts. Activating your glutes means first loosening up tight muscles from sitting all day at a desk and then getting them activated BEFORE you move on to the big lifts like squats and lunges.
How to get glutes to work?
If you want to alleviate your pain and get your glutes working, you need to follow a three-step process: Foam Roll. Stretch. Activation. Without these 3 steps, your glutes may not be activated or firing when you do the big leg lifts.
How to do a glute bridge?
Lie on your back and bend your knees to place your feet down on the ground about hip width apart. You should be able to touch your heels with your fingertips when you reach your arms down by your side. Play around with the position of your feet so that you feel your glutes working.
How to get your arms to bend up?
Bring your elbows to 90 degrees so your upper arms are on the ground. Push up your upper arms and back and heels to bridge up off the ground. Make sure your knees do not fall apart or cave in as you lift. Actively squeeze your glutes as you drive your hips up.
What to do when your glutes are firing?
Once your glutes are firing, you are ready to begin your leg workout. By adding in these activation moves as well as foam rolling and stretching exercises before your strength training routine, you will see increased results and a reduction in pain!
What muscles do you use to get your glutes working?
Here are some great foam rolling and stretching moves to include in your warm-ups to loosen your hips, back, hamstrings, and quads so that you can get your glutes activated and working. Once you’ve foam rolled and stretched, include the moves below to get your glutes firing before you squat or deadlift.
What happens if your glutes don't fire?
And when your glutes don’t fire, you compensate and use other muscles like your lower back, hamstrings, and quads. Compensating and using the incorrect muscles when you lift leads to injury and decreased performance.

Overview
Regulation
Insulin is released from the pancreas and into the bloodstream in response to increased glucose concentration in the blood. Insulin is stored in beta cells in the pancreas. When glucose in the blood binds to glucose receptors on the beta cell membrane, a signal cascade is initiated inside the cell that results in insulin stored in vesicles in these cells being released into the blood stream. Increase…
Structure
Like all proteins, the unique amino acid arrangement in the primary sequence of GLUT4 is what allows it to transport glucose across the plasma membrane. In addition to the phenylalanine on the N-terminus, two Leucine residues and acidic motifs on the COOH-terminus are believed to play a key role in the kinetics of endocytosis and exocytosis.
Tissue distribution
In striated skeletal muscle cells, GLUT4 concentration in the plasma membrane can increase as a result of either exercise or muscle contraction.
During exercise, the body needs to convert glucose to ATP to be used as energy. As G-6-P concentrations decrease, hexokinase becomes less inhibited, and the glycolytic and oxidative pathways that make ATP are able to proceed. This als…
Interactions
GLUT4 has been shown to interact with death-associated protein 6, also known as Daxx. Daxx, which is used to regulate apoptosis, has been shown to associate with GLUT4 in the cytoplasm. UBX-domains, such as the one found in GLUT4, have been shown to associate with apoptotic signaling. So this interaction aids in the translocation of Daxx within the cell.
In addition, recent reports demonstrated the presence of GLUT4 gene in central nervous system …
Interactive pathway map
Click on genes, proteins and metabolites below to link to respective articles.
External links
• GLUT4+Protein at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
• USCD—Nature molecule pages: The signaling pathway", "GLUT4"; contains a high-resolution network map. Accessed 25 December 2009.