Glucose Metabolism Antibodies

Glucose metabolism involves the synthesis, breakdown and interconversion of carbohydrates, such as glucose, in living cells. The simplest forms of carbohydrate consist of monosaccharides, just one sugar molecule, such as glucose; linkage of several monosaccharides give rise to polysaccharides or complex carbohydrate polymers. Glucose and other carbohydrates are used by organisms in several metabolic pathways to supply their energy demands. Plants use photosynthesis to synthesize glucose from carbon dioxide and water for energy; while other organisms metabolize or break down glucose, via the glycolysis and citric acid cycle, producing carbon dioxide and ATP to meet their energy needs.

In mammals, glucose is broken down by the glycolysis pathway, forming pyruvate and ATP, and pyruvate is converted into other compounds depending on the needs of the organism. Excess glucose is converted to glycogen, a glucose polymer for storage, or to fatty acids. Unregulated glucose levels in the blood can lead to diabetes and other diseases, thus glucose metabolism is tightly controlled. Insulin and glucagon, produced by the pancreas, regulate glucose levels in the body. Insulin is released in response to high levels of glucose in the bloodstream and directs the breakdown of glucose by glycolysis, or the synthesis of glycogen by glycogenesis, or to fatty acids and proteins. While low levels of glucose trigger the release of glucagon which directs pathways to synthesize glucose from other compounds such as glycogen by glycogenolysis, or from the interconversion of fatty acids or proteins through gluconeogenesis. Glucose and other carbohydrate residues are also added to the structure of some proteins and lipids, forming glycosylated proteins or glycolipids. Glucose metabolism antibodies includes antibodies to enzymes involved in metabolic pathways such as glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, as well as antibodies to proteins involved in the synthesis of glycosylated proteins and glycolipids.