What is the role of insulin other than translocating GLUT-4 proteins?

In summary, insulin plays a crucial role in regulating glucose metabolism in adipose, skeletal muscle, and liver cells by translocating GLUT-4 proteins. However, insulin receptors are also present in other tissues and their roles in those cells are not well understood since GLUT-4 is not present. Further research is needed to understand the tissue-specific response to insulin in cells such as muscle tissue, vascular endothelium, heart, and liver. There are scientific papers available that discuss these roles of insulin in other cells, which can be found through a Google search.
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What are the roles played by insulin in tissues where GLUT-4 is not known to be present?
Insulin's role in glucose metabolism by translocating GLUT-4 proteins into the plasma membrane (thereby regulating the uptake of glucose), in the adipose and skeletal muscle cells, is rather well known. And in the liver, insulin aids to regulate gluconeogenesis and promoting glycogen synthesis.

But it is also known that insulin receptors are present in many tissues other than the liver, adipose, and muscle cells. What are the roles that are played by insulin in those tissues, since GLUT-4 is not known to be present in other cells?

Are there any scientific papers that discuss such insulin's roles in other cells in its physiology?

Thanks in advance. I tried searching the internet, but couldn't find helpful.
 
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FAQ: What is the role of insulin other than translocating GLUT-4 proteins?

What are the metabolic effects of insulin besides glucose uptake?

Insulin plays a crucial role in various metabolic processes beyond glucose uptake. It promotes glycogen synthesis in the liver and muscle tissues, inhibits gluconeogenesis (the production of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources), and enhances lipid synthesis while inhibiting lipolysis (the breakdown of fats). Additionally, insulin stimulates protein synthesis and inhibits protein degradation.

How does insulin affect lipid metabolism?

Insulin has a significant impact on lipid metabolism. It promotes the synthesis of fatty acids in the liver and their subsequent storage in adipose tissue. Insulin inhibits the breakdown of stored triglycerides by suppressing the activity of hormone-sensitive lipase, an enzyme responsible for lipolysis. This helps to reduce the levels of free fatty acids in the bloodstream.

What role does insulin play in protein metabolism?

Insulin is a key regulator of protein metabolism. It stimulates the uptake of amino acids by cells, which promotes protein synthesis. Insulin also inhibits protein degradation by reducing the activity of proteolytic enzymes. This anabolic effect helps in muscle growth and repair, making insulin essential for maintaining muscle mass.

How does insulin influence cellular growth and differentiation?

Insulin acts as a growth factor and has mitogenic effects, meaning it promotes cell division and growth. It activates various signaling pathways, such as the PI3K/Akt pathway, which are involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. This makes insulin important for tissue growth and development, as well as for wound healing processes.

What is the role of insulin in regulating potassium levels in the body?

Insulin plays a critical role in maintaining potassium homeostasis. It facilitates the uptake of potassium into cells, particularly muscle cells, by stimulating the activity of the sodium-potassium ATPase pump. This helps to lower extracellular potassium levels and prevents hyperkalemia, a condition characterized by elevated potassium levels in the blood, which can be life-threatening.

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