glucagon; contains: glicentin; glicentin-related polypeptide; GRPP; oxyntomodulin; OXM; OXY; glucagon-like peptide 1; GLP-1; glucagon-like peptide 1(7-37); GLP-1(7-37); glucagon-like peptide 1(7-36); GLP-1(7-36); glucagon-like peptide 2; GLP-2 (GCG)

Function

• produced from cleavage of proglucagon
• role in glucose metabolism & homeostasis
• stimulates hepatic glycogenolysis & gluconeogenesis
• decreases glycolysis
• increases blood glucose levels
  • counter-regulatory hormone of insulin, increases plasma glucose levels in response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia
• increases production of hepatic cAMP
• beta-adrenergic receptor agonist, positive inotropic & chronotropic activities

Structure

• belongs to the glucagon family
• 54% of plasma glucagon activity is found in 160 kD component
• 9 & 3.5 kD components also show plasma glucagon activity

Compartment

secreted

Expression

• glucagon is secreted by alpha cells of the pancreatic islets
• reciprocal relationship between plasma levels of glucagon & glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)
• GLP-1, GLP-2, oxyntomodulin & glicentin are secreted from enteroendocrine cells throughout the GI tract
• GLP-1 & GLP-2 are also secreted in selected neurons in the brain
• glucagon release is stimulated by hypoglycemia
• glucagon release isinhibited by hyperglycemia, insulin, & somatostatin
• GLP-1 & GLP-2 are induced in response to nutrient ingestion

Pathology

• role in initiating & maintaining hyperglycemic conditions in diabetes mellitus

Pharmacology

see recombinant glucagon

More general terms

• secretin family peptide
• pancreatic hormone
• endocrine agent

More specific terms

• enteroglucagon
• proglucagon
• recombinant glucagon (Baqsimi)

Additional terms

• glucagon receptor; GL-R (GCGR)

Database

• Entrez gene: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=gene&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=Graphics&list_uids=2641
• Kegg: http://www.genome.jp/dbget-bin/www_bget?hsa:2641
• OMIM: https://mirror.omim.org/entry/138030
• UniProt: http://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P01275.html