Glossary
ghrelin cells
A recently characterized fifth cell type in the endocrine pancreas. Also known as ε-cells.
Read a BCBC perspectives articles about ghrelin cells.
glucagon
A hormone secreted by pancreatic alpha cells in the pancreas that causes the body to release stores of energy in the form of glucose when blood sugar levels are low.
glucose
A simple sugar (carbohydrate, monosaccharide) obtained from digested food and used a source of physiological energy in the body.
Its molecular formula is C6H12O6.
GLUT2
A facilitative glucose transporter that is present in pancreatic beta cells. This transporter uptakes the circulating glucose into the beta cells which serves as the initial trigger in insulin secretion.
GLUT4
GLUT4 is a glucose transporter. Insulin regulates glucose uptake, by muscles and other tissues, into the cells by recruiting membrane vesicles containing the GLUT4 glucose transporter. The process of facultative diffusion drives the uptake of glucose into the cells, removing it from the blood stream.
