Glycogen is a branched polymer of glucose that acts as a store of energy in times of nutritional sufficiency for utilization in times of need. Its metabolism has been the subject of extensive investigation and much is known about its regulation by hormones such as insulin, glucagon and adrenaline (epinephrine). There has been debate over the relative importance of allosteric compared with covalent control of the key biosynthetic enzyme, glycogen synthase, as well as the relative importance of glucose entry into cells compared with glycogen synthase regulation in determining glycogen accumulation. Significant new developments in eukaryotic glycogen metabolism over the last decade or so include: (i) three-dimensional structures of the biosynthetic enzymes glycogenin and glycogen synthase, with associated implications for mechanism and control; (ii) analyses of several genetically engineered mice with altered glycogen metabolism that shed light on the mechanism of control; (iii) greater appreciation of the spatial aspects of glycogen metabolism, including more focus on the lysosomal degradation of glycogen; and (iv) glycogen phosphorylation and advances in the study of Lafora disease, which is emerging as a glycogen storage disease.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
February 2012
- Cover Image
- PDF Icon PDF LinkFront Matter
- PDF Icon PDF LinkTable of Contents
- PDF Icon PDF LinkEditorial Board
Review Article|
January 16 2012
Glycogen and its metabolism: some new developments and old themes
Peter J. Roach;
Peter J. Roach
1
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, U.S.A.
1To whom correspondence should be addressed (email proach@iupui.edu).
Search for other works by this author on:
Anna A. Depaoli-Roach;
Anna A. Depaoli-Roach
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, U.S.A.
Search for other works by this author on:
Thomas D. Hurley;
Thomas D. Hurley
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, U.S.A.
Search for other works by this author on:
Vincent S. Tagliabracci
Vincent S. Tagliabracci
2
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, U.S.A.
Search for other works by this author on:
Biochem J (2012) 441 (3): 763–787.
Article history
Received:
August 02 2011
Revision Received:
October 14 2011
Accepted:
October 18 2011
Citation
Peter J. Roach, Anna A. Depaoli-Roach, Thomas D. Hurley, Vincent S. Tagliabracci; Glycogen and its metabolism: some new developments and old themes. Biochem J 1 February 2012; 441 (3): 763–787. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BJ20111416
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Sign in to your personal account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.