Glycogenesis

Glycogenesis is the conversion of glucose monomers to glycogen, a highly branched homopolysaccharide consisting of α-1,4 and α-1,6-glycosidic bonds using energy from the hydrolysis of UTP and ATP. This occurs when there is excess glucose present in the blood. As blood passes through the pancreas, the excess glucose stimulates the production of the hormone insulin which in turn stimulates the conversion of glucose to glycogen for storage in liver cells and muscle cells.

This is vital to prevent hyperglycaemia, which is excess glucose in the blood plasma, as well as renal loss of glucose. Hyperglycaemia causes an increase in the osmotic pressure and causes cells to shrivel.

Glycogen disorders
Type 0- lack of glycogen synthase.
Type I- Von Gurke’s disease, lack of glucose-6-phosphatase.
Type III- Cori’s disease, lack of amylo-1,6- glucosidase.
Type IV- Andersen’s disease, amylo-(1,4 to 1,6)-glucosidase

The multistep process involves a series of enzymes and intermediate products to ensure the addition of glucose molecules to glycogen chains which can then be stored.

Also see:  Gluconeogenesis and Glycolysis.