Insulin and Glucagon

Insulin Processing:

Physiological concentrations of the C-peptide can be measured and are a good indicator of the amount of Insulin being synthesized.

Glucose Induced Biosynthesis and Release of Insulin (b-cell pancreas):

Insulin Receptor:

Insulin Binding to it's Receptor Followed by Activation of the Receptor:

1. Insulin binds switching ON the receptor. Once the receptor is ON (catalytically active) insulin may disaccociate and be degraded.

2. The Tyr Kinase domain is phosphorylated.

3. A "cascade" of events takes place (see below).

4. Biochemical / Physiological Responses:

Proteins are phosphorylated/dephosphorylated

Glucose transport

Enzymes are activated/inhibited

Increased protein synthesis

Cell growth and replication

The Cascade of Events Following Receptor Activation:

Glucagon Biosynthesis (a-cell pancreas):

Glucagon Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) is thought to link ingestion of nutrients to insulin release.

Glucagon Receptor (signal transduction):

Insulin ("Fed"): lowers blood glucose by utilizing it to Synthesize, Produce and Grow

increase the amount and activity of glycolytic enzymes

glycogenesis

increase protein synthesis

decrease protein degradation

increase the conversion of CHO's to fatty acids

Glucagon ("Fasted"): raises blood glucose by inducing glucose synthesis through Gluconeogenesis and Glycogenolysis

increase the amount and activity of gluconeogenic enzymes

glycogenolysis

Summary of Insulin and Glucagon Action on Glucose Metabolism:

© Dr. Noel Sturm 2002