Metabolism of glucose 1,6-P2. I. Enzymes involved in the synthesis of glucose 1,6-P2 in pig tissues

Pig tissues show four enzymatic activities of glucose 1,6-P2 synthesis: (A) 2 [glucose 1-P]----glucose 1,6-P2 + glucose; (B) glucose 1-P + ATP----glucose 1,6-P2 + ADP; (C) glucose 1-P + fructose 1,6-P2----glucose 1,6-P2 + fructose 6-P; (D) glucose 1-P + glycerate 1,3-P2----glucose 1,6-P2 + glycerate 3-P. Brain is the tissue with highest capability of glucose 1,6-P2 synthesis. With the exception of skeletal muscle, activity "D" represents the highest activity of glucose 1,6-P2 synthesis. In muscle, activity "B" is the major activity. The existence of a specific glucose 1,6-P2 synthase which catalyzes reaction "D" is confirmed. Two peaks of such an enzyme are isolated by ion-exchange chromatography. There is an enzyme which specifically catalyzes reaction "C", not previously described. There is a glucose 1-P kinase not identical to phosphofructokinase.     

Fasting-induced impairment of glucose-1,6-bisphosphate synthesis in pancreatic islets

In pancreatic islets removed from rats fasted for 48 hours, the insulin secretory response to glucose is decreased. Although the activity of phosphoglucomutase is unaffected by fasting, the decrease in glucose-stimulated insulin release coincides with a suppression of the glucose-induced increment in both glucose-1,6-P2 content and lactate or pyruvate output. These findings are compatible with a regulatory role of glucose-1,6-P2 in the control of glycolysis in pancreatic islets.     

Metabolism of glucose 1,6-P2--II. Glucose 1,6-P2 phosphatase in pig muscle

Most of the glucose 1,6-P2 phosphatase activity of pig skeletal muscle is present in the cytosolic fraction. Four peaks of glucose 1,6-P2 phosphatase activity are obtained when the cytosolic fraction from pig muscle is subjected to DE-cellulose chromatography. All the peaks hydrolyze other phosphocompounds in addition to glucose 1,6-P2. The glucose 1,6-P2 phosphatase activity of the main peak shows an optimal neutral pH. It is activated by divalent cations, Mg2+ being more effective than Mn2+. The addition of Ca2+ or EGTA does not affect the enzymatic activity. IMP does not possess any effect. It is concluded that this enzyme is different from the glucose 1,6-P2 phosphatases found in mouse brain cytosol and rat skeletal muscle.     

Metabolism of glucose 1,6-P2--III. Partial purification and characterization of glucose 1,6-P2 synthase from pig skeletal muscle

1. Glycerate 1,3-P2-dependent glucose, 1,6-P2 synthase has been purified 2000-fold from pig skeletal muscle, with a yield of 75%. 2. The enzyme possesses fructose 1,6-P2-dependent glucose 1,6-P2 synthase and phosphoglucomutase activities, which represent 0.1 and 60% of the main activity, respectively. 3. Both glucose 1-P and glucose 6-P can act as acceptors of the phosphoryl group from glycerate 1,3-P2. 4. The Km values are 19 microM and 67 nM for glucose 1-P and glycerate 1,3-P2, respectively. 5. The enzyme is inhibited by glycerate 2,3-P2, fructose 1,6-P2, glycerate 3-P, phosphoenolpyruvate and lithium, the inhibition pattern varying with the compound.     

Mammalian phosphomannomutase PMM1 is the brain IMP-sensitive glucose-1,6-bisphosphatase

Glucose 1,6-bisphosphate (Glc-1,6-P(2)) concentration in brain is much higher than what is required for the functioning of phosphoglucomutase, suggesting that this compound has a role other than as a cofactor of phosphomutases. In cell-free systems, Glc-1,6-P(2) is formed from 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate and Glc-6-P by two related enzymes: PGM2L1 (phosphoglucomutase 2-like 1) and, to a lesser extent, PGM2 (phosphoglucomutase 2). It is hydrolyzed by the IMP-stimulated brain Glc-1,6-bisphosphatase of still unknown identity. Our aim was to test whether Glc-1,6-bisphosphatase corresponds to the phosphomannomutase PMM1, an enzyme of mysterious physiological function sharing several properties with Glc-1,6-bisphosphatase. We show that IMP, but not other nucleotides, stimulated by >100-fold (K(a) approximately 20 mum) the intrinsic Glc-1,6-bisphosphatase activity of recombinant PMM1 while inhibiting its phosphoglucomutase activity. No such effects were observed with PMM2, an enzyme paralogous to PMM1 that physiologically acts as a phosphomannomutase in mammals. Transfection of HEK293T cells with PGM2L1, but not the related enzyme PGM2, caused an approximately 20-fold increase in the concentration of Glc-1,6-P(2). Transfection with PMM1 caused a profound decrease (>5-fold) in Glc-1,6-P(2) in cells that were or were not cotransfected with PGM2L1. Furthermore, the concentration of Glc-1,6-P(2) in wild-type mouse brain decreased with time after ischemia, whereas it did not change in PMM1-deficient mouse brain. Taken together, these data show that PMM1 corresponds to the IMP-stimulated Glc-1,6-bisphosphatase and that this enzyme is responsible for the degradation of Glc-1,6-P(2) in brain. In addition, the role of PGM2L1 as the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of the elevated concentrations of Glc-1,6-P(2) in brain is established.     

Trifluoperazine abolishes the actions of bradykinin on glucose 1,6-bisphosphate levels and on the activities of glucose 1,6-bisphosphatase, phosphofructokinase and phosphoglucomutase

Injection of trifluoperazine abolished the bradykinin-induced decrease in intracellular concentration of glucose 1,6-bisphosphate (Glc-1,6-P2) in rat tibialis anterior muscle and skin. These changes in Glc-1,6-P2 levels may be attributed to the changes in the activity of glucose 1,6-bisphosphatase (the enzyme that degrades Glc-1,6-P2), which was markedly enhanced by bradykinin and reversed by trifluoperazine. Concomitantly to the changes in Glc-1,6-P2, the potent activator of phosphofructokinase and phosphoglucomutase, the activities of these enzymes were reduced by bradykinin and restored by trifluoperazine. These findings suggest that trifluoperazine treatment may have a beneficial effect on the depressed glycolysis induced by bradykinin in tissue damage.     

Age-dependent changes in glucose 1,6-bisphosphate levels and in the activities of glucose 1,6-bisphosphatase, and particulate hexokinase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase in rat skin

The levels of glucose 1,6-bisphosphate (Glc-1,6-P2), the powerful regulator of carbohydrate metabolism, changed in rat skin during growth: Glc-1,6-P2 increased during the first week of age, and thereafter was dramatically reduced during maturation. The activity of glucose 1,6-bisphosphatase, the enzyme that degradates Glc-1,6-P2, changed with age in an invert manner as compared to the changes in Glc-1,6-P2. These findings suggest that the age dependent changes in this enzyme's activity may account for the changes in intracellular Glc-1,6-P2 concentration. The age-related changes in Glc-1,6-P2 were accompanied by concomitant changes in the activities of particulate (mitochondrial) hexokinase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, the two enzymes known to be inhibited by Glc-1,6-P2. The activities of both these enzymes in the soluble fraction were not changed with age. The particulate enzymes were more susceptible to inhibition by Glc-1,6-P2 than the soluble activities, which may explain why only the particulate, but not the soluble activities, correlated with the age-dependent changes in tissue Glc-1,6-P2. These results suggest that the changes in particulate hexokinase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase resulted from changes in intracellular concentration of Glc-1,6-P2. The marked reduction in Glc-1,6-P2 during maturation, accompanied by activation of mitochondrial hexokinase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, may reflect an enhancement in skin metabolism during growth.     

A method for determination of glucose 1,6-bisphosphatase

A sensitive and specific method to measure glucose 1,6-bisphosphatase activity, which allows the identification of the reaction products is described. [U-14 C]Glucose 1,6-P2, synthesized by the glucose 1-P kinase activity of phosphofructokinase, is used as substrate. The reaction products are separated and identified by chromatography on ion-exchange paper.     

Glucose 1,6-bisphosphate and fructose 2,6-bisphosphate levels in different types of rat skeletal muscle

1. The concentration of glycogen, glucose 1,6-P2, fructose 2,6-P2 and the content of glycogen phosphorylase, phosphofructokinase, 6-phosphofructo 2-kinase and glucose 1,6-P2 phosphatase activity, have been determined in rat muscles which differ in their fiber composition: extensor digitorum longus, gastrocnemius, diaphragm and soleus. 2. Glucose 1,6-P2 concentration seems to be related to the glycolytic capacity of the muscle, while fructose 2,6-P2 concentration does not. 3. No significant relationship exists between the fiber type and the content in glucose 1,6-P2 phosphatase and 6-phosphofructo 2-kinase activities.     

Euglycemic hyperinsulinemia increases glucose 1,6-bisphosphate in human skeletal muscle

1. The effects of physiologic concentrations of insulin on the contents of glucose 1,6-bisphosphate (glucose 1,6-P2) and regulators of glucose 1,6-P2 synthase in intact human skeletal muscle have been investigated. 2. Insulin increased glucose 1,6-P2 from a basal value of 70 +/- 6 to 135 +/- 12 mumol/kg dry wt (P less than 0.001). 3. Activation of synthase could not be associated with changes in its inhibitors (fructose 1,6-P2, Pi, citrate) or its substrate glucose 6-P.     

Opposite changes with age in liver and muscle in the mitochondrial and soluble glucose-1,6-bisphosphate and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase

Glucose-1,6-bisphosphate (Glc-1,6-P2), the powerful regulator of carbohydrate metabolism, was markedly decreased in liver of adult rats (2 months of age) as compared to young rats (1-2 weeks of age). This regulator was found to be present in both the mitochondrial and soluble fractions of liver. Its concentration in both these fractions was decreased with age. Concomitant to the decrease in Glc-1,6-P2, which is a potent inhibitor of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, the activity of this enzyme was markedly increased with age in both the mitochondrial and soluble fractions. However, the increase in this enzyme's activity was more pronounced in the mitochondrial fraction. The mitochondrial enzyme was more susceptible to inhibition by Glc-1,6-P2 as compared to the soluble enzyme, and this may explain the greater enhancement in its activity with age in this fraction. The tibialis anterior muscle exhibited changes with age opposite to those found in liver; Glc-1,6-P2 concentration, in both the mitochondrial and soluble fractions of muscle increased with age, and this increase was accompanied by a concomitant reduction in the activity of the mitochondrial and soluble 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. Similar to liver, the mitochondrial enzyme was more affected by age, as it also exhibited a greater susceptibility to inhibition by Glc-1,6-P2.     

Oscillatory synthesis of glucose 1,6-bisphosphate and frequency modulation of glycolytic oscillations in skeletal muscle extracts

Oscillatory behavior of glycolysis in cell-free extracts of rat skeletal muscle involves bursts of phosphofructokinase activity, due to autocatalytic activation by fructose-1,6-P2. Glucose-1,6-P2 similarly might activate phosphofructokinase in an autocatalytic manner, because it is produced in a side reaction of phosphofructokinase and in a side reaction of phosphoglucomutase using fructose-1,6-P2. When muscle extracts were provided with 1 mM ATP and 10 mM glucose, glucose-1,6-P2 accumulated in a stepwise, but monotonic, manner to 0.7 microM in 1 h. The stepwise increases occurred during the phases when fructose-1,6-P2 was available, consistent with glucose-1,6-P2 synthesis in the phosphoglucomutase side reaction. Addition of 5-20 microM glucose-1,6-P2 increased the frequency of the oscillations in a dose-dependent manner and progressively shortened the time interval before the first burst of phosphofructokinase activity. Addition of 30 microM glucose-1,6-P2 blocked the oscillations. The peak values of the [ATP]/[ADP] ratio were then eliminated, and the average [ATP]/[ADP] ratio was reduced by half. In the presence of higher, near physiological concentrations of ATP and citrate (which reduce the activation of phosphofructokinase by glucose-1,6-P2), high physiological concentrations of glucose-1,6-P2 (50-100 microM) increased the frequency of the oscillations and did not block them. We conclude that autocatalytic activation of phosphofructokinase by fructose-1,6-P2, but not by glucose-1,6-P2, is the mechanism generating the oscillations in muscle extracts. Glucose-1,6-P2 may nevertheless play a role in facilitating the initiation of the oscillations and in modulating their frequency.     

The participation of glucose-1,6-diphosphate in the regulation of hexokinase and phosphoglucomutase activities in brains of young and adult rats

1. The level of glucose-1,6-diphosphate (Glc-1,6-P2), the powerful regulator of carbohydrate metabolism, was found to be strikingly decreased in brains of adult rats (5 months of age) as compared to young (10-14 days of age). 2. This age-related decrease in Glc-1,6-P2, the potent inhibitor of hexokinase and activator of phosphoglucomutase, was accompanied by a correlated increase in the activity of hexokinase and a reduction in phosphoglucomutase. 3. Evidence is provided showing that Glc-1,6-P2 participates in the regulation of these enzymes' activities with age. 4. The age-related changes in Glc-1,6-P2 and in the enzymes' activities in brain were opposite to those which we previously found in skeletal muscle. 5. These results suggest that Glc-1,6-P2 is involved in the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism during growth in both brain and muscle, as well as in the interrelationship between these two tissues.     

Increase in glucose 1,6-bisphosphate levels, activation of phosphofructokinase and phosphoglucomutase, and inhibition of glucose 1,6-bisphosphatase in muscle induced by trifluoperazine

Injection of trifluoperazine (TFP) to rats induced a significant rise in the level of glucose 1,6-bisphosphate (Glc-1,6-P2) in muscle. This increase in Glc-1,6-P2, the potent activator of phosphofructokinase and phosphoglucomutase, was accompanied by a marked activation of both enzymes, when assayed in the absence of exogenous Glc-1,6-P2 under conditions in which these enzymes are sensitive to regulation by endogenous Glc-1,6-P2. Glucose-1,6-bisphosphatase (the enzyme that degrades Glc-1,6-P2) was markedly inhibited following the injection of TFP, which may account for the rise in the Glc-1,6-P2 level. Previous results from this laboratory have revealed that muscle damage or weakness is characterized by a decrease in Glc-1,6-P2 levels, leading to a marked reduction in the activities of phosphoglucomutase and phosphofructokinase (the rate-limiting enzyme in glycolysis). The present results suggest that TFP treatment may have a beneficial effect on the depressed glycolysis in muscle weakness or damage.     

Effects of vanadate and insulin on glucose 1,6-P2 and fructose 2,6-P2 levels in rat skeletal muscle

Levels of glucose 1,6-P2 but not fructose 2,6-P2 were found decreased in skeletal muscle of alloxan-diabetic ketotic rats. Administration of both insulin and vanadate restored the altered values without affecting fructose 2,6-P2 concentrations. In normal rats, insulin increased muscle levels of both sugars, and vanadate decreased glucose 1,6-P2 without changing fructose 2,6-P2 levels. Enzymatic activities involved in glucose 1,6-P2 and fructose 2,6-P2 metabolism were not affected under any experimental condition.     

Human erythrocyte phosphoglucomutase: comparison of the kinetic properties of PGM1 and PGM2 isoenzymes

Kinetic properties of PGM1 and PGM2 phosphoglucomutase "primary" isoenzymes from human erythrocytes were studied. The two enzyme forms share a "ping-pong" kinetic mechanism and show similar Km for substrate (glucose 1-P) and cofactor (glucose 1,6-P2). Micromolar concentrations of fructose 1,6-P2 and glycerate 2,3-P2 inhibit both PGM1 and PGM2 isoenzymes to a similar extent. The sole PGM2 form is affected by ribose monophosphates (ribose 1-P and ribose 5-P) that act as mutase inhibitors vs. glucose 1,6-P2 and as apparent activators vs. glucose 1-P. The interaction between PGM2 isoenzyme and ribose monophosphates is discussed in the light of the ability of this form to also display phosphoribomutase activity.     

In vivo regulation of monomer-tetramer conversion of pyruvate kinase subtype M2 by glucose is mediated via fructose 1,6-bisphosphate

The activity of pyruvate kinase, subtype M2 (PKM2), is known to be increased by fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (Fru-1,6-P2), one of the metabolites in the glycolytic pathway. Recently, we have shown that in vitro, Fru-1,6-P2 activated the association of monomer to form the tetrameric PKM2. To ascertain whether this mode of regulation also occurs in vivo, we prepared monomer-specific monoclonal antibody and quantified the monomer formation in situ in cultured cells by immunocytochemistry. The intracellular Fru-1,6-P2 was manipulated by the glucose concentration in the media. At the physiological concentration of glucose (4-6 mM), 30-35% of PK existed as a monomer. However, PKM2 was dissociated into monomer within minutes after cells were deprived of glucose. The maximal level of monomer was detected after 1 h at 37 degrees C. Monomer was rapidly (within minutes) converted to tetramer after addition of glucose. Furthermore, when cells cultured in 10 mM of glucose were treated with cytochalasin B, an inhibitor of the glucose transporter, a maximal level of monomer was detected within 20-30 min. Determination of Fru-1,6-P2 indicated that its intracellular concentration decreased concomitantly with the reduction in glucose concentration in the medium. These results indicate that monomer-tetramer inter-conversion is a major in vivo cellular regulatory mechanism in response to changes in the extracellular glucose concentration via Fru-1,6-P2.     

Complementarity in the regulation of phosphoglucomutase, phosphofructokinase and hexokinase; the role of glucose 1,6-bisphosphate.

ATP and citrate, the well known inhibitors of phosphofructokinase (ATP: D-fructose 6-phosphate 1-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.11), were found to inhibit the activities of the multiple forms of phosphoglucomutase (alpha-D-glucose 1,6-bisphosphate: alpha-D-glucose 1-phosphate phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.5.1) from rat muscle and adipose tissue. This inhibition could be reversed by an increase in the glucose 1,6-bisphosphate (Glc-1,6-P2) concentration. Other known activators (deinhibitors) of phosphofructokinase, viz. cyclic AMP, AMP, ADP or Pi, had no direct deinhibitory action on the ATP or citrate inhibited multiple phosphoglucomutases. Cyclic AMP and AMP, could however lead indirectly to deinhibition of the phosphoglucomutases, by activating phosphofructokinase which catalyzes the ATP-dependent phosphorylation of glucose 1-phosphate to form Glc-1,6-P2, the la-ter then released the multiple phosphoglucomutases from ATP or citrate inhibition. The Glc-1,6-P2 was also found to exert a selective inhibitory effect on hexokinase (ATP: D-hexose 6-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.1) type II, the predominant form in skeletal muscle. This selective inhibition by Glc-1,6-P2 was demonstrated on the multiple hexokinases which were resolved by cellogel electrophoresis or isolated by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. Based on the in vitro studies it is suggested that during periods of highly active epinephrine-induced glycogenolysis in muscle, the Glc-1,6-P2, produced by the cyclic AMP-stimulated reaction of phosphofructokinase with glucose 1-phosphate, will release the phosphoglucomutases from ATP or citrate inhibition, and will depress the activity of muscle type II hexokinase.     

Effects of epinephrine on glucose-1,6-bisphosphate and carbohydrate metabolism in skin

1. Injection of epinephrine induced in skin a decrease in the level of glucose-1,6-bisphosphate (Glc-1,6-P2), which was accompanied by correlated changes in the activities of several enzymes which are modulated by this regulator. 2. These effects were blocked by the alpha adrenergic blocker phentolamine, in contrast to muscle where the hormone increases Glc-1,6-P2, acting through beta receptors. 3. The changes in the enzymes' activities, as well as in glycogen and lactate content induced by epinephrine, reveal that the hormone causes, in skin, a stimulation of glycogenolysis and glycolysis, as well as an acceleration of pentose phosphate pathway. 4. The reduction in glycogen content induced by epinephrine, was blocked by the beta adrenergic blocker propranolol, whereas the hormone's effects on the other processes were mainly mediated through alpha receptors.     

Influence of bradykinin on glucose 1,6-bisphosphate and cyclic GMP levels and on the activities of glucose 1,6-bisphosphatase, phosphofructokinase and phosphoglucomutase in muscle

The intracellular concentration of glucose-1,6-bisphosphate (Glc-1,6-P2) in rat tibialis anterior muscle was markedly decreased following the injection of bradykinin. Injection of bradykinin also induced a significant increase in the level of cyclic GMP in muscle. The activity of glucose-1,6-bisphosphatase, the enzyme that degrades Glc-1,6-P2, was markedly enhanced by bradykinin, which may account for the decrease in the level of Glc-1,6-P2. The decrease in Glc-1,6-P2, the potent activator of phosphofructokinase and phosphoglucomutase, was accompanied by a concomitant reduction in these enzymes' activities. The bradykinin-induced decrease in Glc-1,6-P2 and in the activity of phosphofructokinase, the rate-limiting enzyme in glycolysis, may be involved in the pathogenic influences of this hormone in various clinical conditions.