Insulin: Difference between revisions
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Insulin is a [[Hormone|hormone]]. Its main function is the regulation of blood sugar levels, by causing the [[Liver|liver]] and [[Muscle|muscles]] to increase uptake of [[Glucose|glucose]] <ref name="OMIM">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/omim/176730</ref>. Insulin is produced from a single [[Gene|gene]] which codes for the peptide [[Proinsulin|proinsulin]]; a precursor molecule. [[Mutation|Mutations]] in this gene can result in a faulty [[Protein|protein]]; causing type 1 [[Diabetes|diabetes]] or a possible predisposition to type 2 [[Diabetes|diabetes]] <ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/omim/176730</ref>. | Insulin is a [[Hormone|hormone]]. Its main function is the regulation of blood sugar levels, by causing the [[Liver|liver]] and [[Muscle|muscles]] to increase uptake of [[Glucose|glucose]] <ref name="OMIM">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/omim/176730</ref>. Insulin is produced from a single [[Gene|gene]] which codes for the peptide [[Proinsulin|proinsulin]]; a precursor molecule. [[Mutation|Mutations]] in this gene can result in a faulty [[Protein|protein]]; causing type 1 [[Diabetes|diabetes]] or a possible predisposition to type 2 [[Diabetes|diabetes]] <ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/omim/176730</ref><ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20806184</ref>.<br> | ||
Insulin regulates the blood glucose levels in different ways. It enhances the glucose transport at a cellular level by stimulation of the glucosetransporter ([[Glucose transpoters|GLUT]]) family. | |||
Insulin also has an effect on gene expression which is up or down regulated in the [[Homeostasis|homeostasis]] process to maintain the optimum blood [[Glucose|glucose]] levels. | |||
Insulin also has an effect on gene expression which is up or down regulated in the [[Homeostasis|homeostasis]] process to maintain the optimum blood glucose levels. | |||
=== References === | === References === | ||
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Revision as of 13:25, 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][3].
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.