What is GluT4?

GluT4 is an insulin-regulated glucose transporter that plays a critical role in glucose homeostasis. It is primarily found in adipose tissues and striated muscle (such as skeletal and cardiac muscle). When insulin is released into the bloodstream, it binds to insulin receptors on the membranes of these tissues, prompting GluT4-containing vesicles to translocate to the cell surface. This increases the uptake of glucose from the blood into the cells, which can then be used for energy production or stored as glycogen. The regulation of glucose uptake by GluT4 is essential for maintaining normal blood glucose levels after meals and for energy management in the body.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately represent GluT4: enzymes involved in fat metabolism do not specifically include GluT4, while GluT4 is a transporter and not a hormone itself or a byproduct of glycolysis. This distinctive function of GluT4 reinforces its significance in the process of glucose uptake in response to insulin signaling.