title: Control of gluconeogenesis by metformin: does redox trump energy charge?
abstract: Metformin is the most widely prescribed drug to lower glucose in type II diabetics, yet its mechanism of action remains controversial. A new study reveals that metformin inhibits mitochondrial glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, triggering reduction of the cytosolic NADH/NAD(+) pool and impaired utilization of redox-dependent substrates for gluconeogenesis (Madiraju et al., 2014).
authors.affiliation: Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Electronic address: baur@mail.med.upenn.edu.
authors.forename: Joseph A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Baur
authors.affiliation: Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Electronic address: birnbaum@mail.med.upenn.edu.
authors.forename: Morris J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Birnbaum
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005943:Gluconeogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D005993:Glycerolphosphate Dehydrogenase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008687:Metformin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000201:enzymology*
chemical_list: D008687:Metformin; D005993:Glycerolphosphate Dehydrogenase
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