GCK Gene

Ver.	Summary	Created by	Modification	Content Size	Created at	Operation
1		Vivi Li	+ 306 word(s)	306	2020-12-15 07:54:29

This entry is adapted from https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/gck

Glucokinase

genes

Information

Subjects: Genetics & Heredity

Contributor MDPI registered users' name will be linked to their SciProfiles pages. To register with us, please refer to https://encyclopedia.pub/register :

Vivi Li

View Times: 218

Entry Collection: MedlinePlus

Update Date: 25 Dec 2020

Table of Contents

1. Normal Function

The GCK gene provides instructions for making a protein called glucokinase. This protein plays an important role in the breakdown of sugars (particularly glucose) in the body. Glucokinase is primarily found in the liver and in beta cells in the pancreas. Beta cells produce and release (secrete) the hormone insulin, which helps regulate blood sugar levels by controlling how much glucose is passed from the bloodstream into cells to be used as energy. Glucokinase acts as a sensor, recognizing when the level of glucose in the blood rises and helping stimulate the release of insulin from beta cells to control it. In the liver, glucokinase helps determine when excess glucose should be taken in and converted to glycogen, which is a major source of stored energy in the body.

2. Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

2.1 Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young

Mutations in the GCK gene cause maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY), which is a group of conditions characterized by abnormally high blood sugar levels. This form of diabetes usually begins before age 30. GCK gene mutations cause a type known as GCK-MODY (also called MODY2). Affected individuals usually have mildly elevated blood sugar levels from birth, although they typically have no symptoms associated with the condition, and diabetes-related complications are extremely rare.

Most GCK gene mutations involved in GCK-MODY change single protein building blocks in the glucokinase protein or result in an abnormally short version of the protein. The altered protein may be broken down, or the function may be impaired, reducing glucokinase activity in cells. As a result, beta cells are less able to detect changes in blood sugar and release insulin to control it, so blood sugar remains elevated.

2.2 Congenital Hyperinsulinism

2.3 Gestational Diabetes

2.4 Permanent Neonatal Diabetes Mellitus

3. Other Names for This Gene

ATP:D-glucose 6-phosphotransferase
HEXOKINASE 4
Hexokinase type IV
HK4

References

Froguel P, Zouali H, Vionnet N, Velho G, Vaxillaire M, Sun F, Lesage S,Stoffel M, Takeda J, Passa P, et al. Familial hyperglycemia due to mutations inglucokinase. Definition of a subtype of diabetes mellitus. N Engl J Med. 1993 Mar11;328(10):697-702.
Negahdar M, Aukrust I, Molnes J, Solheim MH, Johansson BB, Sagen JV,Dahl-Jørgensen K, Kulkarni RN, Søvik O, Flatmark T, Njølstad PR, Bjørkhaug L.GCK-MODY diabetes as a protein misfolding disease: the mutation R275C promotesprotein misfolding, self-association and cellular degradation. Mol CellEndocrinol. 2014 Jan 25;382(1):55-65. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2013.08.020.
Osbak KK, Colclough K, Saint-Martin C, Beer NL, Bellanné-Chantelot C, EllardS, Gloyn AL. Update on mutations in glucokinase (GCK), which cause maturity-onsetdiabetes of the young, permanent neonatal diabetes, and hyperinsulinemichypoglycemia. Hum Mutat. 2009 Nov;30(11):1512-26. doi: 10.1002/humu.21110.Review.
Steele AM, Shields BM, Wensley KJ, Colclough K, Ellard S, Hattersley AT.Prevalence of vascular complications among patients with glucokinase mutationsand prolonged, mild hyperglycemia. JAMA. 2014 Jan 15;311(3):279-86. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.283980.

©Text is available under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons-Attribution ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) license; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Upload a video for this entry