PUGNAc
Encyclopedia
PUGNAc is a 1,5-hydroximolactone, acting as an inhibitor
of a variety of N-acetylhexosaminidases. It was long thought that increased levels of O-GlcNAc in human cells lead to Type II diabetes. O-GlcNAc levels were artificially raised with PUGNAc, which inhibits O-GlcNAcase, a beta-exo-N-acetylhexosaminidase which cleaves beta-O-linked-N-acetylglucosamine residues from glycoproteins. As a result of this inhibition, a type II diabetic phenotype was observed. It was unknown however, whether it was the increased O-GlcNAc levels or inhibition of another N-acetylhexosaminidase within the cell which was generating this phenotype. Recent studies have shown, using a selective O-GlcNAcase inhibitor, that there is no corellation between increased O-GlcNAc levels on glycoproteins and Type II diabetes.
in the television series Prison Break
to keep his blood sugar
level high to appear diabetic
and to be resistant to insulin shots he was receiving but did not need.
Enzyme inhibitor
An enzyme inhibitor is a molecule that binds to enzymes and decreases their activity. Since blocking an enzyme's activity can kill a pathogen or correct a metabolic imbalance, many drugs are enzyme inhibitors. They are also used as herbicides and pesticides...
of a variety of N-acetylhexosaminidases. It was long thought that increased levels of O-GlcNAc in human cells lead to Type II diabetes. O-GlcNAc levels were artificially raised with PUGNAc, which inhibits O-GlcNAcase, a beta-exo-N-acetylhexosaminidase which cleaves beta-O-linked-N-acetylglucosamine residues from glycoproteins. As a result of this inhibition, a type II diabetic phenotype was observed. It was unknown however, whether it was the increased O-GlcNAc levels or inhibition of another N-acetylhexosaminidase within the cell which was generating this phenotype. Recent studies have shown, using a selective O-GlcNAcase inhibitor, that there is no corellation between increased O-GlcNAc levels on glycoproteins and Type II diabetes.
Fictional references
PUGNAc was used by Michael ScofieldMichael Scofield
Michael J. Scofield is the main protagonist in the American television series Prison Break. He is portrayed by Wentworth Miller. The character first appeared in the series pilot as a man who stages a bank robbery in order to get sent into the prison where his older brother, Lincoln Burrows , is...
in the television series Prison Break
Prison Break
Prison Break is an American television serial drama created by Paul Scheuring, that was broadcast on the Fox Broadcasting Company for four seasons, from 2005 until 2009. The series revolves around two brothers; one has been sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit, and the other devises an...
to keep his blood sugar
Blood sugar
The blood sugar concentration or blood glucose level is the amount of glucose present in the blood of a human or animal. Normally in mammals, the body maintains the blood glucose level at a reference range between about 3.6 and 5.8 mM , or 64.8 and 104.4 mg/dL...
level high to appear diabetic
Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus, often simply referred to as diabetes, is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar, either because the body does not produce enough insulin, or because cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced...
and to be resistant to insulin shots he was receiving but did not need.