Glucose-metabolizing enzymes and transporters

Glucose-metabolizing enzymes and transporters comprise a diverse group of proteins that facilitate the uptake and metabolic processing of glucose to maintain cellular energy and systemic homeostasis. This category includes the solute carrier (SLC) families of glucose transporters, such as GLUTs (facilitative) and SGLTs (sodium-dependent), as well as key regulatory enzymes like hexokinase, phosphofructokinase, and pyruvate kinase (StatPearls: Physiology, Glucose Metabolism). These proteins are critical therapeutic targets in metabolic diseases, where SGLT2 inhibitors are used to promote glucose excretion in the urine, and metformin is used to suppress hepatic gluconeogenesis (NIH: SGLT2 Inhibitors; StatPearls: Metformin). Additionally, the upregulation of these pathways is a hallmark of the Warburg effect in cancer, where increased glucose uptake and glycolytic flux support rapid tumor growth, leading to the development of inhibitors targeting GLUT1 or Hexokinase 2 as potential antineoplastic agents (PubMed: 29533775). Monitoring efficacy often involves measuring blood glucose levels or utilizing 18F-FDG PET imaging to visualize glucose consumption in vivo (PubMed: 25707921).

Other names

Glucose metabolism proteinsGlycolytic enzymes and glucose carriersCarbohydrate metabolism targets

Inhibition of glucose transport, suppression of hepatic gluconeogenesis, and blockade of renal glucose reabsorption (StatPearls: SGLT2 Inhibitors; PubMed: 29533775).