VCAC: Cellular Processes: Protein Recycling: First Look

The following images attempt to illustrate the major events involved in the recycling of a protein known as glucose transporter 4. Clicking on each of the thumbnail images will bring up a larger, labeled version of the described scene.

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	Transport vesicles from the Golgi carry membrane bound GLUT4 proteins to be stored in one of two cellular locations.
	When glucose levels are low in surrounding tissues, most GLUT4 is stored in a pool of vesicles called GLUT4 storage vesicles (GSVs) that cluster together. The remaining GLUT4 is found in the plasma membrane where it allows any low levels of glucose to be transported into the cell.
	Vesicles from the GSV pool move back and forth to recycle GLUT4 proteins from the GSV pool to the plasma membrane and back again.

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