ABSTRACT
Experiments in our as well as in other laboratories during the past few years have led us to realize that glucose-1,6-bisphosphate (Glc-1,6-P2) is a powerful regulator of carbohydrate metabolism (for reviews see References 1 and 1a). The unique feature of Glc-1,6-P2 is that it acts as a powerful regulator common to several key enzymes in the different pathways of carbohydrate metabolism. This compound is not a biosynthetic precursor or intermediate in a metabolic pathway, but acts as an intracellular signal, its concentration being controlled by different physiological, hormonal, and pathological conditions, leading to concomitant changes in the activities of the key enzymes which are modulated by this regulator. By this action Glc-1,6-P2 controls the different pathways of carbohydrate metabolism under various conditions. The list of factors and conditions which affect cellular Glc-1,6-P2 levels is growing fast.
