The Molecular Size Distribution of Glycogen and its Relevance to Diabetes

Robert G. Gilbert; Mitchell A Sullivan

doi:10.1071/CH13573

Back

The Molecular Size Distribution of Glycogen and its Relevance to Diabetes

Journal article

Peer reviewed

The Molecular Size Distribution of Glycogen and its Relevance to Diabetes

Robert G. Gilbert and Mitchell A Sullivan

Australian Journal of Chemistry, Vol.67(4), pp.538-543

2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/CH13573

Abstract

Glycogen is a highly branched polymer of glucose, functioning as a blood-glucose buffer. It comprises relatively small beta-particles, which may be joined as larger aggregate alpha-particles. The size distributions from size-exclusion chromatography (SEC, also known as GPC) of liver glycogen from non-diabetic and diabetic mice show that diabetic mice have impaired alpha-particle formation, shedding new light on diabetes. SEC data also suggest the type of bonding holding beta-particles together in alpha-particles. SEC characterisation of liver glycogen at various time points in a day/night cycle indicates that liver glycogen is initially synthesised as beta-particles, and then joined by an unknown process to form alpha-particles. These alpha-particles are more resistant to degradation, presumably because of their lower surface area-to-volume ratio. These findings have important implications for new drug targets for diabetes management.

Details

Title: The Molecular Size Distribution of Glycogen and its Relevance to Diabetes
Authors: Robert G. Gilbert (Corresponding Author) - Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Mitchell A Sullivan (Corresponding Author) - Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Publication details: Australian Journal of Chemistry, Vol.67(4), pp.538-543
Publisher: C S I R O Publishing
Date published: 2014
DOI: 10.1071/CH13573
ISSN: 1445-0038
Organisation Unit: School of Health - Biomedicine
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991035098302621
Output Type: Journal article