NCBI Summary:
This gene is a member of the Tre-2/BUB2/CDC16 domain family. The protein encoded by this gene is a Rab-GTPase-activating protein, and contains two phopshotyrosine-binding domains (PTB1 and PTB2), a calmodulin-binding domain (CBD), a Rab-GTPase domain, and multiple AKT phosphomotifs. This protein is thought to play an important role in glucose homeostasis by regulating the insulin-dependent trafficking of the glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), important for removing glucose from the bloodstream into skeletal muscle and fat tissues. Reduced expression of this gene results in an increase in GLUT4 levels at the plasma membrane, suggesting that this protein is important in intracellular retention of GLUT4 under basal conditions. When exposed to insulin, this protein is phosphorylated, dissociates from GLUT4 vesicles, resulting in increased GLUT4 at the cell surface, and enhanced glucose transport. Phosphorylation of this protein by AKT is required for proper translocation of GLUT4 to the cell surface. Individuals homozygous for a mutation in this gene are at higher risk for type 2 diabetes and have higher levels of circulating glucose and insulin levels after glucose ingestion. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2015]
General function
Intracellular protein transport
Comment
Cellular localization
Cytoplasmic
Comment
Changes in the expression of insulin signaling pathway molecules in endometria from polycystic ovary syndrome women with or without hyperinsulinemia. Fornes R et al. (2010) Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine-metabolic disorder associated with insulin resistance and compensatory hyperinsulinemia. Scarce information is available on the expression of molecules involved in the insulin pathway in endometria from women with PCOS. Therefore, we examined the protein levels of insulin-signaling molecules, like insulin receptor, insulin-receptor substrate (IRS)-1, pIRS-1Y612, Akt, AS160, pAS160T642 and GLUT4 in endometria from PCOS women with or without hyperinsulinemia. Protein levels were assessed by Western blot and immunohistochemistry in 21 proliferative-phase endometria from control women (CE = 7), normoinssulinemic PCOS women (PCOSE-NI = 7) and hyperinsulinemic PCOS women (PCOSE-HI = 7). The data show no differences in the expression of insulin receptor between all groups as assessed by Western blot; however, IRS-1 and pIRS-1Y612 were lower in PCOSE-HI than controls and PCOSE-NI (P < 0.05). AS160 was detected in all analyzed tissues with similar expression levels between groups. Importantly, PCOSE-HI exhibited lower levels of pAS160T642 (P < 0.05) and of GLUT4 (P < 0.05) compared with CE. The immunohistochemistry for insulin receptor, IRS-1, Akt, AS160 and GLUT4 showed epithelial and stromal localization; IRS-1 staining was lower in PCOSE-HI (P < 0.05). In conclusion, human endometrium has the machinery for glucose uptake mediated by insulin. The diminished expression of GLUT4, as well as the lower level of pIRS-1Y612 and pAS160T642 exhibited by PCOSE-HI, suggests a disruption in the translocation of vesicles with GLUT4 to the cell surface in these patients.//////////////////