Role of Rab proteins in glucose transporter 4 translocation:research advances / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

Insulins maintain blood glucose homeostasis in the body by stimulating glucose uptake into muscle and adipose tissues through glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4)translocation. Recent studies have showed that Rab proteins,as a key regulatory factor for the translocation of GLUT4 to the cell membrane,participate in the formation,translocation and fusion of GLUT4 vesicles. This paper describes several types Rab proteins and the Rab GTPase activating protein,protein kinase B substrate of 160 kU(AS160)in terms of regulatory mechanisms for GLUT4 translocation. Studies on the translocation mechanism by which GLUT4 is regulated by Rabs aim to explain the mechanism of insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes,and provide a new approach to diabetes.