ABSTRACT
Hexokinase (ADP: D-hexose 6-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.1) catalyzes the conversion of glucose to glucose-6-phosphate with MgATP2− as the phosphate donor, a step required for several glucose utilizing pathways. It is generally accepted that this reaction is one of the principle control points of glycolysis, together with the reaction catalyzed by phosphofructokinase (EC 2.7.1.11). Both reactions are attended with large changes in free energy, i.e., they are far displaced from equilibrium, and both enzymes are regulated by factors other than the substrate concentration. Therefore, they can be considered to be regulatory enzymes. 1 The involvement of hexokinase in the regulation of glucose utilization in a variety of diseases emphasizes its role as a regulatory enzyme of carbohydrate metabolism.
