Proglucagon
Encyclopedia
Proglucagon is a protein
that in humans is encoded by the GCG gene
.
Proglucagon is a precursor of glucagon
, and several other components. It is generated in the alpha cell
s of the pancreas
and in the intestinal L cells in the distal ileum and colon. It is cleaved into the following components:
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
that in humans is encoded by the GCG gene
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
.
Proglucagon is a precursor of glucagon
Glucagon
Glucagon, a hormone secreted by the pancreas, raises blood glucose levels. Its effect is opposite that of insulin, which lowers blood glucose levels. The pancreas releases glucagon when blood sugar levels fall too low. Glucagon causes the liver to convert stored glycogen into glucose, which is...
, and several other components. It is generated in the alpha cell
Alpha cell
Alpha cells are endocrine cells in the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas. They make up 33-46% of the human islet cells and are responsible for synthesizing and secreting the peptide hormone glucagon, which elevates the glucose levels in the blood....
s of the pancreas
Pancreas
The pancreas is a gland organ in the digestive and endocrine system of vertebrates. It is both an endocrine gland producing several important hormones, including insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin, as well as a digestive organ, secreting pancreatic juice containing digestive enzymes that assist...
and in the intestinal L cells in the distal ileum and colon. It is cleaved into the following components:
- Glicentin
- Glicentin-related pancreatic polypeptide (GRPP)
- OxyntomodulinOxyntomodulinOxyntomodulin is a naturally occurring 37-amino acid peptide hormone found in the colon, produced by the oxyntic cells of the oxyntic mucosa. It has been found to suppress appetite. A recent study has found that it can be used as a weight loss treatment.The mechanism of action of oxyntomodulin...
(OXY or OXM) - GlucagonGlucagonGlucagon, a hormone secreted by the pancreas, raises blood glucose levels. Its effect is opposite that of insulin, which lowers blood glucose levels. The pancreas releases glucagon when blood sugar levels fall too low. Glucagon causes the liver to convert stored glycogen into glucose, which is...
- Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1)
- Glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2)
