GYS2
GYS2 (glycogen synthase 2) is the liver isoform of glycogen synthase, the glycosyltransferase that extends glycogen chains by adding glucose units from UDP-glucose. It is catalogued by UniProt as glycogen [starch] synthase, liver, and was formerly named glycogen synthase 2 (liver). Browse Assay Genie's current range of GYS2 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
GYS2 participates in the glycogen biosynthetic process together with glycogenin and glycogen branching enzyme. Glycogenin forms a primer of a few glucose units, and glycogen synthase extends it by transferring the glycosyl residue from UDP-glucose to the non-reducing end of an alpha-1,4-glucan. According to the NCBI Gene summary, the liver enzyme catalyses the rate-limiting step in glycogen synthesis, the transfer of glucose from UDP-glucose to a terminal branch of the glycogen molecule.
The human GYS2 gene encodes a protein that UniProt places in the glycosyltransferase 3 family. HGNC classes it within the glycosyl transferases group 1 domain containing gene group, and the enzyme carries the EC number 2.4.1.11. Mouse and rat each have a Gys2 ortholog. The related GYS1 gene encodes the other glycogen synthase isoform, and the two are often studied side by side when comparing glycogen metabolism between tissues.
Mutations in the GYS2 gene cause glycogen storage disease type 0 (GSD-0), a rare form of early childhood fasting hypoglycaemia with decreased liver glycogen content. This direct link between the enzyme and a defined metabolic disorder makes the GYS2 protein a useful focus for work on hepatic glycogen handling. The previous HGNC name, glycogen synthase 2 (liver), reflects the isoform's association with liver.
GYS2 catalyses the rate-limiting step of glycogen synthesis, making it a central enzyme for studying how glucose is stored.
As the liver isoform of glycogen synthase, GYS2 is relevant to work on hepatic glycogen content and glucose handling.
Mutations in GYS2 cause glycogen storage disease type 0, a rare disorder with fasting hypoglycaemia and reduced liver glycogen.
GYS2 transfers glucose from UDP-glucose to alpha-1,4-glucan chains, providing a model for glycosyltransferase family 3 activity.
GYS2 is liver glycogen synthase. With glycogenin and glycogen branching enzyme it builds glycogen, extending the glycogenin-formed primer by transferring glucose from UDP-glucose to the non-reducing end of an alpha-1,4-glucan. It catalyses the rate-limiting step of glycogen synthesis.
Both genes encode glycogen synthase. GYS2 encodes the liver isoform, named glycogen synthase 2 (liver) in earlier HGNC records, while GYS1 encodes the other isoform. The sources supplied here describe GYS2 only, so check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Yes. Mutations in GYS2 cause glycogen storage disease type 0, a rare early childhood fasting hypoglycaemia with decreased liver glycogen. Orthologs exist in mouse and rat, both named Gys2, so rodent models can be used to study the enzyme.
The other glycogen synthase isoform and related glycogen metabolism targets with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P54840; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.