Definition:
Biosynthesis of Glycogen from Glucose is called Glycogenesis.
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Glycogen is synthesized
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Depending on the demand for glucose and ATP (energy), insulin promotes the glucose conversion into glycogen.
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Glycogen is the major storage form of carbohydrate in animals similar to starch in plants.
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It is a homopolymer made up of repeated units of α- D glucose and each molecule is linked to another by 1→4 glycosidic bonds.
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Once there is a chain consisting of 8 to 10 glycosidic residues in the glycogen fragment, branching begins by 1→6 linkages.
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Glycogen is stored in liver and skeletal muscles.
Location:
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Cytoplasm of cells in the muscle, liver, and adipose tissue.
Steps Involved in Glycogenesis:
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Glucose is converted into glucose-6-phosphate by the action of glucokinase or hexokinase with conversion of ATP to ADP.
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Glucose-6-phosphate is converted into glucose-1-phosphate by the action of phosphoglucomutase.
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Glucose-1-phosphate is converted into UDP-glucose by the action of the enzyme UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase. Pyrophosphate is formed, which is later hydrolysed by pyrophosphatase into two phosphate molecules.
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The enzyme glycogenin is needed to create initial short glycogen chains, which are then lengthened and branched by the other enzymes of glycogenesis.
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Once a chain of eight glucose monomers is formed, glycogen synthase binds to the growing glycogen chain and adds UDP-glucose to the 4-hydroxyl group of the glucosyl residue on the non-reducing end of the glycogen chain, forming more α(1→4) bonds in the process.
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Branches are made by glycogen branching enzyme (also known as amylo α(1:4)→α(1:6)transglycosylase), which transfers the end of the chain onto an earlier part via α-1:6 glycosidic bond, forming branches, which further grow by addition of more α-1:4 glycosidic units.
Energy requirement:
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In the synthesis of glycogen, one ATP is required per glucose incorporated into the polymeric branched structure of glycogen.
Key Enzymes:
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Glycogen synthase: Adds glucose units to the nonreducing ends of existing chains in α-1,4 linkages.
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Glucosyl (4:6) transferase : Transfers seven-glucose-residue-long pieces from the nonreducing ends of the chains to create internal branches with α-1,6 linkages.
Stimulation:
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Insulin stimulates glycogenesis via dephosphorylation and thus activation of glycogen synthase.
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The process is also activated during rest periods following the Cori cycle.
Inhibition:
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Glucagon (liver) and epinephrine (liver and muscle) inhibit gluconeogenesis via the cAMP protein kinase A phosphorylation cascade, which results in phosphorylation and thus deactivation of glycogen synthase.
Commonly Asked Questions.
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Write a short note on “Glycogenesis”.