Glukokinázas

Glukokinázas is a Hungarian term that translates to glucokinase in English. Glucokinase is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in glucose metabolism. It is primarily found in the liver and pancreatic beta cells.

In the liver, glucokinase phosphorylates glucose, converting it into glucose-6-phosphate. This process traps glucose within the liver cells and is the first step in both glycogen synthesis (storing glucose for later use) and glycolysis (breaking down glucose for energy). Glucokinase acts as a glucose sensor, meaning its activity increases as blood glucose levels rise. This helps the liver respond to fluctuating glucose concentrations.

In pancreatic beta cells, glucokinase functions similarly. It phosphorylates glucose, and the resulting glucose-6-phosphate triggers a cascade of events leading to insulin secretion. Therefore, glucokinase is essential for regulating blood glucose homeostasis by influencing both glucose uptake and insulin release. Mutations in the gene encoding glucokinase can lead to genetic forms of diabetes, such as maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY), highlighting its critical importance in glucose metabolism and overall health.