Description
Glucokinase is a structurally and functionally unique member of the hexokinase family. Glucokinase is expressed only in mammalian liver and pancreatic islet beta cells. Because of its unique functional characteristics, the enzyme plays an important regulatory role in glucose metabolism. Defects in the glucokinase gene have long been suspected contributors to the genetic susceptibility to noninsulindependent diabetes mellitus. It is suggested that mutant GCK leads to chronic hyperglycemia by raising the threshold of circulating glucose levels which induces insulin secretion. Given the central role of glucokinase in the regulation of insulin release, it is understandable that mutations in the GCK gene can cause both hyper and hypoglycemia. Recently, a novel class of drugs that stimulate the GK molecule directly have been discovered, which offer a new principle for drug therapy of diabetes