Institute of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry
The National Hellenic Research Foundation
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Glucokinase
Glucokinase (GK) is the rate-limiting
enzyme for glucose utilisation both in the liver, where its
function is regulated by a 68 kDa regulatory protein, and in
pancreatic b-cells. Phosphorylation of glucose by GK in the
liver promotes glycogen synthesis; whilst in the b-cell this
results in glucose-sensitive insulin release. Activation of
GK is therefore expected to improve glycaemic control by
modulating hepatic glucose balance and decreasing the
threshold for insulin secretion. The goal of this project is
to assess the pharmacological potential of compounds through
activation/binding to the pancreatic isoform of human
glucokinase. The project includes (1) the
co-crystallisation of the protein with compounds/ligands,
and (2) quantitative analysis of the interactions between
the compounds and their target.
Research Interests:
Control of glycogen metabolism
Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase
Carbohydrate
recognition
Human TAFs9 proteins
Xylanases and feruloyl esterases