Human Glucokinase/GCK Recombinant Protein (RPES2803)

Human Glucokinase/GCK Recombinant Protein

Glucokinase (GCK) belongs to the bacterial glucokinase family. Hexokinases convert glucose to glucose-6-phosphate, the first step in many glucose metabolism pathways. The protein is found in the outer membrane of mitochondria. In contrast to other types of hexokinase, this enzyme is not inhibited by glucose-6-phosphate and remains functional even when glucose is plentiful. This gene has been linked to non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), maturity onset diabetes of the young, type 2 (MODY2) and persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy (PHHI). It can catalyzes the initial step in utilization of glucose by the beta-cell and liver at physiological glucose concentration. GCK has a very high Km for glucose, so it is only useful when there is a lot of glucose. The goal of GCK is to manufacture G6P for the synthesis of glycogen. Pancreatic GCK has an important function in insulin secretion modulation. Hepatic GCK is involved in the uptake and conversion of glucose, as it is an insulin-sensitive element of hepatic glucose metabolism. It is required for the proper functioning of the pancreatic beta-cells as a glucose sensor. Glucokinase explains the capacity, hexose specificity, affinities, sigmoidicity, and anomeric preference of pancreatic islet glycolysis, and because stimulation of glucose metabolism is a prerequisite of glucose stimulation of insulin release, glucokinase also explains many characteristics of this beta-cell function. In contrast to liver glucokinase, which is controlled by insulin, the beta-cell glucokinase is induced or activated by glucose. Tissue-specific regulation is in agreement with the notion that liver and pancreatic beta-cell glucokinase are structurally distinct. In addition, glucokinase may function as a glucose sensor in hepatocytes. Glucokinase deficiencies in pancreatic beta-cells, hepatocytes, or both might be responsible for certain forms of diabetes mellitus. Human Glucokinase/GCK Recombinant Protein is a highly pure recombinant protein developed by Assay Genie for use in a range of applications.