The molecular biology of glucose transport: relevance to insulin resistance and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

The structure of the glucose transporter and the characteristics of the identified members of the facilitative glucose transporter gene family (GLUT1-5) are reviewed. The role of glucose transport in insulin resistance and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is discussed. The potential contributions of genetic mutation and disruption of short- or long-term regulation of glucose transporters, particularly GLUT4, in insulin-sensitive tissues to the etiology of NIDDM are examined.