Glucagon is a peptide hormone, produced by alpha cells of the pancreas. It raises
concentration of glucose and fatty acids in the bloodstream and is the
main catabolic hormone of the body. The pancreas releases glucagon when the amount of
glucose in the bloodstream is too low.
Mode of Action
- Glucagon causes the liver to engage in glycogenolysis: converting stored glycogen into glucose, which is released into the bloodstream. Elevated bloodglucose levels, on the other hand, stimulate the release of insulin. Insulin allows glucose to be taken up and used by insulin-dependent tissues. Thus, glucagon and insulin are part of a feedback system that keeps blood glucose levels stable. Glucagon increases energy expenditure and is elevated under conditions of stress.
- Glucagon is also used as a medication to treat several health conditions. Its effect is opposite to that of insulin, which lowers extracellular glucose. It is produced from proglucagon, encoded by the GCG gene