Insulin: Difference between revisions
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=== References === | === References === | ||
<references /><ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20806184</ref> | <references /><ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20806184</ref> <references /> | ||
Revision as of 12:49, 14 November 2010
Insulin is a hormone. Its main function is the regulation of blood sugar levels, by causing the liver and muscles to increase uptake of glucose [1]. Insulin is produced from a single gene which codes for the peptide proinsulin; a precursor molecule. Mutations in this gene can result in a faulty protein; causing type 1 diabetes or a possible predisposition to type 2 diabetes [2].
Insulin regulates the blood glucose levels in different ways. It enhances the glucose transport at a cellular level by stimulation of the glucosetransporter (GLUT) family.
Insulin also has an effect on gene expression which is up or down regulated in the homeostasis process to maintain the optimum blood glucose levels.