Glycogen Synthase

Glycogen Synthase is a glycosyltransferase that plays a crucial role in catalyzing glycogen synthesis. There are two isozymes, GYS1 and GYS2. Glycogen Synthase uses uridine diphosphate glucose as a raw material to extend the glycogen chain by connecting glucose molecules to the glycogen primer through α-1,4-glycosidic bonds. With the synergistic effect of branching enzyme, Glycogen Synthase endows glycogen with a branched structure by forming α-1,6-glycosidic bonds, increasing the water solubility and metabolic efficiency of glycogen. Glycogen Synthase can regulate blood glucose levels. Mutations in its gene or abnormal activity can lead to glycogen storage diseases, trigger insulin resistance and affect cardiomyocytes energy metabolism. Glycogen Synthase plays an important role in diseases such as diabetes and cardiomyopathy^[1].