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Insulin Action back | next
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Insulin binds to a glycoprotein receptor on the surface of a target cell. Binding activates an enzyme that regulates the effects of insulin on cellular metabolism. Specific cellular events that binding triggers include:
  • Cell growth
  • Redistribution of membrane proteins such as the glucose transporter (increasing glucose entry into cells)*
  • Promotion of amino acid entry into cells

*Insulin, however, is not required for glucose entry into hepatic, kidney, brain and red blood cells