GLUT glucose transporters

[peter90036]

the GLUTs related to brain

i think i read in uw, but forgot

is GLUT 1 = blood-brain-barrier
GLUT 3 = neurons?

so if a Q asks: blah blah the brain uses glucose using GLUT ? which to pick?

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[Chocolate Bear]

My notes suggest that you're thinking about it correctly.

GLUT1 = BBB
GLUT3 = "Brain"

So I'm assuming that "brain" = neurons, and a test might need to say BBB (or blood-tissue barrier) if they are implying GLUT1.

 

[ZonaRidicularis]

z

 

[hdu]

Some additional intereresting and important information:

Glut1 and Glut3 have a very low Km (less than 1 mM). It means that they have high affinity for glucose (glucose concentration in blood is about 4.3 mM) so even in situation of relative hypoglycemia they can continue transporting glucose to the brain. Glut 2, in liver, has a Km of about 15 mM, so it works properly when glucose concentration in blood is high (like in postpandrial situations; recall that after meals blood arrives first to liver through the portal system).
Glut4 activity is dependent of insulin, so insulin increases the entrance of glucose to muscle and adipose tissue, as you know.
I hope it helps.

My blog: www.biochemistryquestions.wordpress.com