Glycogen Synthesis

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to glycogen synthesis and regulation in biochemistry.

Glycogenesis

The synthesis of glycogen from glucose 6-phosphate.

Glycogen

A glucose polymer stored in the liver and muscle, serving as an energy reserve.

Glycogen Synthase

The key regulatory enzyme that adds glucose monomers to glycogen, generating α-1,4-glycosidic bonds.

UDP-Glucose

An activated carrier of glucose used as a glucose donor in glycogen synthesis.

Glycogenin

A protein that synthesizes the core of glycogen, forming oligosaccharides of glucose residues.

Branching Enzyme

Enzyme that creates branches in glycogen by cleaving α-1,4-linkages and forming α-1,6-linkages.

Protein Kinase A

Enzyme that phosphorylates and activates glycogen phosphorylase while inactivating glycogen synthase.

Insulin

A hormone that stimulates glycogen synthesis and inactivates glycogen synthase kinase.

Phosphorylation

The addition of a phosphate group to a protein that can activate or deactivate enzymes such as glycogen synthase.

Glycogen Phosphorylase

Key regulatory enzyme for glycogen breakdown; its phosphorylated form is active.

Protein Phosphatase 1 (PP1)

Enzyme that reverses the effects of kinases, activating glycogen synthase and inhibiting glycogen phosphorylase.

High Blood Glucose

Stimulates glycogen synthesis in the liver by promoting the inactivation of glycogen phosphorylase.

Type 1 Diabetes

A condition where insulin is not produced, leading to issues with glucose regulation.

Type 2 Diabetes

A condition where insulin is produced but not effectively utilized, leading to insulin resistance.

Reciprocal Regulation

A regulatory mechanism where the pathways of synthesis and breakdown of glycogen are oppositely controlled.

Active (R State) and Inactive (T State) Forms

Two states of enzymes where the R form is active and the T form is inactive, influenced by allosteric regulation.