Metabolic and therapeutic lessons from genetic manipulation of GLUT4

Maureen J. Charron, Ellen B. Katz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

This review focuses on the effects of varying levels of GLUT4, the insulin-sensitive glucose transporter, on insulin sensitivity and whole body glucose homeostasis. Three mouse models are discussed including MLC-GLUT4 mice which overexpress GLUT4 specifically in skeletal muscle, GLUT4 null mice which express no GLUT4, and the MLC-GLUT4 null mice which express GLUT4 only in skeletal muscle. Overexpressing GLUT4 specifically in the skeletal muscle results in increased insulin sensitivity in the MLC-GLUT4 mice. In contrast, the GLUT4 null mice exhibit insulin intolerance accompanied by abnormalities in glucose and lipid metabolism. Restoring GLUT4 expression in skeletal muscle in the MLC-GLUT4 null mice results in normal glucose metabolism but continued abnormal lipid metabolism. The results of experiments using these mouse models demonstrates that modifying the expression of GLUT4 profoundly affects whole body insulin action and consequently glucose and lipid metabolism.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)143-152
Number of pages10
JournalMolecular and Cellular Biochemistry
Volume182
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1998

Keywords

  • Diabetes mellitus
  • GLUT4
  • Glucose transporter
  • Insulin resistance
  • Obesity
  • Transgenic mice

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology

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