Glucose Transport in Human Red Blood Cells

The penetration of D-[14C] glucose into human red blood cells (RBCs) features kinetic parameters which are readily distinguishable from passive permeation. It would be expected to require activation energy above 80 kJ/mol for permeation of glucose with five hydroxyls capable of forming hydrogen bonds, but the measured activation energy is approximately 16 kJ/mol. As a consequence, glucose permeate…