Glucose metabolism in insulin-producing tumoral cells

Homogenates of insulin-producing tumoral cells catalyzed the phosphorylation of glucose, mannose, and fructose. The kinetics of phosphorylation at increasing glucose concentrations, the inhibitory effect of glucose 6-phosphate, and the comparison of results obtained with distinct hexoses indicated the presence of both low-Km hexokinase-like and high-Km enzymatic activities, the results being grossly comparable to those collected in normal pancreatic islets. Relative to protein content, the glucose-phosphorylating enzymatic activity was higher in tumoral than normal islet cells. The activity of other enzymes was either lower (glutamate dehydrogenase), moderately higher (phosphoglucomutase, lactate dehydrogenase) or considerably greater (ornithine decarboxylase) in tumoral than in normal islet cells. In intact tumoral cells, incubated under increasing glucose concentrations, the oxidation of D-[U-14C]glucose and the output of lactic and pyruvic acids reached a close-to-maximal value at 2.8 mM glucose. The ratios for glucose oxidation/utilization and lactate/pyruvate output were much lower in tumoral than in normal islet cells. Although glucose caused a modest increase in insulin output from the tumoral cells, this effect was saturated at a low glucose concentration (2.8 mM) and less marked than that of other secretagogues (e.g., L-leucine, L-ornithine, or forskolin). Thus, despite a close-to-normal enzymatic equipment for glucose phosphorylation, the tumoral cells displayed severe abnormalities in the metabolism and secretory response to this hexose. These findings point to regulatory mechanisms distal to glucose phosphorylation in the control of glucose metabolism in insulin-producing cells.     

Regulation of alternate peripheral pathways of glucose catabolism during aerobic and anaerobic growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Glucose may be converted to 6-phosphogluconate by alternate pathways in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Glucose is phosphorylated to glucose-6-phosphate, which is oxidized to 6-phosphogluconate during anaerobic growth when nitrate is used as respiratory electron acceptor. Mutant cells lacking glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase are unable to catabolize glucose under these conditions. The mutant cells utilize glucose as effectively as do wild-type cells in the presence of oxygen; under these conditions, glucose is utilized via direct oxidation to gluconate, which is converted to 6-phosphogluconate. The membrane-associated glucose dehydrogenase activity was not formed during anaerobic growth with glucose. Gluconate, the product of the enzyme, appeared to be the inducer of the gluconate transport system, gluconokinase, and membrane-associated gluconate dehydrogenase. 6-Phosphogluconate is probably the physiological inducer of glucokinase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and the dehydratase and aldolase of the Entner-Doudoroff pathway. Nitrate-linked respiration is required for the anaerobic uptake of glucose and gluconate by independently regulated transport systems in cells grown under denitrifying conditions.     

Anomeric specificity of glucose metabolism in the pentose cycle

The production of 3H2O from alpha- and beta-D-[5-3H]glucose and that of 14CO2 from either alpha- and beta-D-[1-14C] or alpha- and beta-D-[6-14C]glucose were measured in rat pancreatic islets and tumoral insulin-producing cells incubated at 7 degrees C. The ratio in 14CO2 output from D-[1-14C]glucose/D-[6-14C]glucose, the fraction of glucose metabolism occurring through the pentose cycle, and the flow rate through such a cycle were always higher in the presence of beta- than alpha-D-glucose. This indicates that the anomeric specificity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase is operative in intact islet cells.     

Pentose synthesis in glucose-grown cells of Lactobacillus casei

The pathway of pentose synthesis in glucose-grown cells of Lactobacillus casei was ascertained. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase were present in glucose-grown cells, while transaldolase and transketolase were present only in traces. This suggested that only the oxidative arm of this pathway was operative in glucose-grown cells. On the other hand, in ribose-grown cells, transaldolase was induced with a concomitant suppression of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. These results were confirmed by the detection of labelled CO2 produced by L. casei grown on [1-14C]glucose. The activities of the enzymes of the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway as also the rate of CO2 formation were higher in the exponential phase of growth as compared to the stationary phase, when the requirement of the cells for pentoses for the formation of DNA and RNA was higher.     

Activity of pentose phosphate pathway enzymes in alkane-oxidizing yeast cells]

The activity of the key enzymes of the pentose phosphate pathway (glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, transketolase) was determined in cell-free homogenates of Candida lipolytica 695 and Candida tropicalis 303 growing on different carbon sources. The activity of these enzymes remained almost the same in the course of growth of both cultures. The activity of the enzymes differed only slightly in the cells metabolizing hexadecane and glucose. The activity of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase in the cell-free homogenates of C. tropicalis 303 was twice as high as in the cells of C. lipolytica 695. The activity of transketolase was the same in both cultures. The main role of the pentose phosphate pathway is presumed to consist not in catabolism of the carbon source, but in biosynthesis of pentoses and other important intermediates.     

The pentose phosphate pathway of glucose metabolism. Enzyme profiles and transient and steady-state content of intermediates of alternative pathways of glucose metabolism in Krebs ascites cells

1. The pentose phosphate pathway in Krebs ascites cells was investigated for regulatory reactions. For comparison, the glycolytic pathway was studied simultaneously. 2. Activities of the pentose phosphate pathway enzymes were low in contrast with those of the enzymes of glycolysis. The K(m) values of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase for both substrate and cofactor were about four times the reported upper limit for the enzyme from normal tissues. Fructose 1,6-diphosphate and NADPH competitively inhibited 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. 3. About 28% of the hexokinase activity was in the particulate fraction of the cells. The soluble enzyme was inhibited by fructose 1,6-diphosphate and ribose 5-phosphate, but not by 3-phosphoglycerate. The behaviour of the partially purified soluble enzyme in vitro in a system simulating the concentrations of ATP, glucose 6-phosphate and P(i) found in vivo is reported. 4. Kinetics of metabolite accumulation during the transient state after the addition of glucose to the cells indicated two phases of glucose phosphorylation, an initial rapid phase followed abruptly by a slow phase extending into the steady state. 5. Of the pentose phosphate pathway intermediates, accumulation of 6-phosphogluconate, sedoheptulose 7-phosphate and fructose 6-phosphate paralleled the accumulation of glucose 6-phosphate. Erythrose 4-phosphate reached the steady-state concentration by 2min., whereas the pentose phosphates accumulated linearly. 6. The mass-action ratios of the pentose phosphate pathway reactions were calculated. The transketolase reaction was at equilibrium by 30sec. and then progressively shifted away from equilibrium towards the steady-state ratio. The glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase was far from equilibrium at all times. 7. Investigation of the flux of [(14)C]glucose carbon confirmed the existence of an operative pentose phosphate pathway in ascites cells, contributing 1% of the total flux in control cells and 10% in cells treated with phenazine methosulphate. 8. The pentose phosphate formed by way of the direct oxidative route and estimated from the (14)CO(2) yields represented 20% of the total accumulated pentose phosphate, the other 80% being formed by the non-oxidative reactions of the pentose phosphate pathway. 9. The pentose phosphate pathway appears to function as two separate pathways, both operating towards pentose phosphate formation. Control of the two pathways is discussed.     

Degradation of endogenous fructose during catabolism of sucrose and mannitol in halophilic archaebacteria

Metabolism of fructose arising endogenously from sucrose or mannitol was studied in halophilic archaebacteria Haloarcula vallismortis and Haloferax mediterranei. Activities of the enzymes of Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas (EMP) pathway, Entner-Doudoroff (ED) pathway and Pentose Phosphate (PP) pathway were examined in extracts of cells grown on sucrose or mannitol and compared to those grown on fructose and glucose. Sucrase and NAD-specific mannitol dehydrogenase were induced only when sucrose or mannitol respectively were the growth substrates. Endogenously arising fructose was metabolised in a manner similar to that for exogenously supplied fructose i.e. a modified EMP pathway initiated by ketohexokinase. While the enzymes for modified EMP pathway viz. ketohexokinase, 1-phosphofructokinase and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolase were present under all growth conditions, their levels were elevated in presence of fructose. Besides, though fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase, phosphohexoseisomerase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase were present, the absence of 6-phosphogluconate dehydratase precluded routing of fructose through ED pathway, or through PP pathway directly as 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase was lacking. Fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase plays the unusual role of a catabolic enzyme in supporting the non-oxidative part of PP pathway. However the presence of constitutive levels of glucose dehydrogenase and 2-keto 3-deoxy 6-phosphogluconate aldolase when glucose or sucrose were growth substrates suggested that glucose breakdown took place via the modified ED pathway.Abbreviations EMP Embden Meyerhof Parnas - ED Entner Doudoroff - PP pentose phosphate - KHK ketohexokinase - 1-PFK 1-phosphofructokinase - PEP-PTS phosphoenolpyruvate phosphotransferase - 6-PFK 6-phosphofructokinase - FBPase fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase - PHI phosphohexoseisomerase - G6P-DH glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase - 6PG-DH 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase - GAPDH glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase - FIP fructose 1-phosphate - GSH reduced glutathione - 2-ME -mercaptoethanol - FBP fructose 1,6-bisphosphate - KDPG 2-keto 3-deoxy 6-phosphogluconate - F6P fructose 6-phosphatez     

Disturbed sugar metabolism in a fully habituated nonorganogenic callus of Beta vulgaris (L.)

Habituated (H) nonorganogenic sugarbeet callus was found to exhibit a disturbed sugar metabolism. In contrast to cells from normal (N) callus, H cells accumulate glucose and fructose and show an abnormal high fructose/glucose ratio. Moreover, H cells which have decreased wall components, display lower glycolytic enzyme activities (hexose phosphate isomerase and phosphofructokinase) which is compensated by higher activities of the enzymes of the hexose monophosphate pathway (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase). The disturbed sugar metabolism of the H callus is discussed in relation to a deficiency in H₂O₂ detoxifying systems.Abbreviations 6PG-DH 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase - G6P-DH glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase - H fully habituated callus - HK hexokinase - HMP hexoses monophosphate - HPI hexose phosphate isomerase - N normal callus - PFK phosphofructokinase     

Glycolytic cancer cells lacking 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase metabolize glucose to induce senescence

We show that knockdown of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD) of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) inhibits growth of lung cancer cells by senescence induction. This inhibition is not due to a defect in the oxidative PPP per se. NADPH and ribose phosphate production are normal in 6PGD knockdown cells and shutdown of PPP by knockdown of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) has little effect on cell growth. Moreover, 6PGD knockdown cells can proliferate when the PPP is bypassed by using fructose instead of glucose in medium. Significantly, G6PD knockdown rescues proliferation of cells lacking 6PGD, suggesting an accumulation of growth inhibitory glucose metabolics in cells lacking 6PGD. Therefore, 6PGD inhibition may provide a novel strategy to treat glycolyic tumors such as lung cancer.     

低氧环境对三阴性乳腺癌细胞糖代谢途径的重编程

代谢改变是癌细胞的特征之一。研究表明,低氧会使癌细胞的糖代谢发生改变,但是更详细的分子机制仍有待进一步研究。本研究利用转录物组测序技术(RNA-sequencing,RNA-seq)和生物信息学分析发现,低氧导致BT549细胞中334个基因和MDA-MB-231细胞中215个基因在转录水平的表达改变。这些表达变化的基因多与糖代谢相关。进一步分析RNA-seq数据并应用Western 印迹、酶活性检测和代谢产物定量测定的结果显示,低氧通过升高BT549细胞中葡萄糖转运蛋白1(GLUT1)和MDA-MB-231细胞中GLUT1和GLUT3的表达以增加葡萄糖的摄入;低氧使催化糖的无氧氧化途径几乎全部反应的酶都至少有一种同工酶或酶蛋白亚基,以及调节酶6-磷酸果糖-2-激酶/果糖-2,6-二磷酸酶3(PFKFB3)和4(PFKFB4)同工酶的表达增加来促进了糖的无氧氧化;低氧还通过增加调节丙酮酸脱氢酶激酶1(PDK1)和3(PDK3)同工酶基因的表达,以及降低关键酶异柠檬酸脱氢酶3(IDH3)同工酶、琥珀酸脱氢酶B亚基和D亚基的表达来减少糖的有氧氧化途径进行;低氧可能还增加磷酸戊糖途径的关键酶葡糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶、糖原合成途径的关键酶糖原合酶GYS1同工酶的表达以促进这2条途径的进行,而对糖异生和糖原分解代谢途径酶基因的表达影响较小。生物信息学分析乳腺癌组织样本在线数据库中糖代谢途径酶基因在转录水平表达结果与细胞研究结果基本一致。总之,该文系统分析了低氧对糖代谢6条代谢途径中全部酶以及2种重要调节酶的影响,可见低氧会通过改变这些酶的同工酶或亚基的基因表达使糖代谢途径进行重编程,这对进一步认识低氧环境下癌细胞糖代谢的分子机制具有一定的意义。     

Characteristics of carbohydrate metabolism of R-, S- i M-dissociants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa]

R and S dissociants of the hydrocarbon-oxidizing strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa K-2 differed but little in their growth in a minimal defined medium with glucose as the source of carbon and energy. At the same time, the number of cells of M dissociant in the late exponential phase was five orders of magnitude less than that of R and S dissociants. The growth of M dissociant was accompanied by the accumulation of formate in the culture liquid and a concurrent decrease in pH. All three dissociants contained the key enzymes of the Entner-Doudoroff pathway of glucose oxidation; however, the activities of these enzymes, especially 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, were low in M dissociant. Conversely, the activity of formate dehydrogenase in cells of M dissociant was higher than in other dissociants. The activity of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, a key enzyme of the pentosephosphate pathway of glucose oxidation, was detected only in S dissociant. The peculiarities of the carbohydrate metabolism of M dissociant are probably responsible for its poor growth on glucose and determine the more pronounced anaerobic type of its metabolism.     

Glucose Metabolism in Neisseria gonorrhoeae

The metabolism of glucose was examined in several clinical isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Radiorespirometric studies revealed that growing cells metabolized glucose by a combination on the Entner-Doudoroff and pentose phosphate pathways. A portion of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate formed via the Entner-Doudoroff pathway was recycled by conversion to glucose-6-phosphate. Subsequent catabolism of this glucose-6-phosphate by either the Entner-Doudoroff or pentose phosphate pathways yielded CO(2) from the original C6 of glucose. Enzyme analyses confirmed the presence of all enzymes of the Entner-Doudoroff, pentose phosphate, and Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathways. There was always a high specific activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.49) relative to that of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.44). The glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase utilized either nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide as electron acceptor. Acetate was the only detectable nongaseous end product of glucose metabolism. Following the disappearance of glucose, acetate was metabolized by the tricarboxylic acid cycle as evidenced by the preferential oxidation of [1-(14)C]acetate over that of [2-(14)C]acetate. When an aerobically grown log-phase culture was subjected to anaerobic conditions, lactate and acetate were formed from glucose. Radiorespirometric studies showed that under these conditions, glucose was dissimilated entirely by the Entner-Doudoroff pathway. Further studies determined that this anaerobic dissimilation of glucose was not growth dependent.     

Studies on the function of proplastids in the metabolism of in vitro-cultured tobacco cells IV. Gluconeogenetic pathway

Proplastids of in vitro-cultured tobacco cells were shown tocontain the enzymes of the gluconeogenetic pathway from triosephosphate to glucose 1-phosphate. No significant activitiesof NADP-dependent glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase andhexokinase were detected. Ribulose 1,5-diphosphate carboxylaseactivity was significant but very low. It was concluded thatthe gluconeogenetic pathway plays roles in the production ofglucose 6-phosphate as the substrate to produce NADPH₂ by glucose6-phosphate and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenases, as well asin starch formation. (Received May 19, 1977; )     

Lipogenesis in rat and guinea-pig isolated epididymal fat-cells

Fat-cells were prepared from rat and guinea-pig epididymal adipose tissue and compared on the basis of the intracellular distributions and activities of enzymes and with respect to their utilization of various U-(14)C-labelled substrates for lipogenesis. 1. Compared with the rat, guinea-pig extramitochondrial enzyme activities differed in that aconitate hydratase, alanine aminotransferase, ATP-citrate lyase, lactate dehydrogenase, NAD-malate dehydrogenase, NADP-malate dehydrogenase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activities were appreciably lower, whereas aspartate aminotransferase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activities were appreciably higher. Mitochondrial activities of citrate synthase, NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase and pyruvate carboxylase were appreciably lower, whereas mitochondrial activities of aspartate aminotransferase, glutamate dehydrogenase, NAD-malate dehydrogenase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase were higher in the guinea pig compared with the rat. 2. In general guinea-pig fat-cells incorporated acetate and lactate into fatty acids more readily than rat fat-cells, whereas rat fat-cells incorporated glucose and pyruvate more readily than guinea-pig fat-cells. 3. Acetate stimulated the incorporation of glucose into fatty acids in rat fat-cells, but had no appreciable effect upon this process in guinea-pig fat-cells. Acetate greatly decreased the incorporation of lactate into fatty acids in cells from both species. 4. Lactate/pyruvate ratios produced by incubation of guinea-pig cells with glucose+insulin were very low compared with those found with rat cells under the same conditions. 5. With glucose (+insulin) or with glucose+acetate (+insulin) as substrates guinea-pig cells produced enough NADPH by the hexose monophosphate pathway to satisfy the NADPH requirements of lipogenesis. In rat fat-cells under the same conditions, hexose monophosphate-pathway NADPH provision was not sufficient to meet the requirements of lipogenesis. 6. These results are discussed, particularly in relationship to the disposition of cytosolic reducing equivalents in the cells.     

Channeling of alpha-D-glucose 6-phosphate in tumoral islet cells exposed to D-galactose

In human erythrocytes, in which the fractional turnover rate of glucose 6-phosphate is rather low, menadione increases to almost the same relative extent the oxidation of D-[U-14C]glucose and D-[U-14C]galactose. However, in pancreatic tumoral islet cells (RINm5F line), in which the fractional turnover rate of glucose 6-phosphate is considerably higher, menadione increases the oxidation of D-[1-14C]glucose but not that of D-[1-14C]galactose. These results suggest that alpha-D-glucose 6-phosphate generated from exogenous D-galactose is channeled preferentially into the glycolytic rather than pentose phosphate pathway. Such was no more the case, however, when the RINm5F cells were exposed simultaneously to both D-glucose and D-galactose.     

The metabolism of glucose by heterocysts and vegetative cells of Anabaena cylindrica

Whole filaments of autotrophically grown Anabaena cylindrica and heterocysts isolated from them will assimilate and metabolise exogenous glucose. Radiorespirometric experiments suggest the operation of the pentose phosphate pathway. Glucose-6-phosphate and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase are present in heterocysts at 6–8 times the levels found in vegetative cells whereas enzymes of the reductive pentose phosphate and glycolytic pathways are barely or not detectable. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in vegetative cells, but not in heterocysts is subject to inhibition by ribulose diphosphate.     

Alginic acid synthesis in Pseudomonas aeruginosa mutants defective in carbohydrate metabolism.

Mutant cells of mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from cystic fibrosis patients were examined for their ability to synthesize alginic acid in resting cell suspensions. Unlike the wild-type strain which synthesizes alginic acid from glycerol, fructose, mannitol, glucose, gluconate, glutamate, or succinate, mutants lacking specific enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism are uniquely impaired. A phosphoglucose isomerase mutant did not synthesize the polysaccharide from mannitol, nor did a glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase mutant synthesize the polysaccharide from mannitol or glucose. Mutants lacking the Entner-Doudoroff pathway dehydrase or aldolase failed to produce alginate from mannitol, glucose, or gluconate, as a 3-phosphoglycerate kinase or glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase mutant failed to produce from glutamate or succinate. These results demonstrate the primary role of the Entner-Doudoroff pathway enzymes in the synthesis of alginate from glucose, mannitol, or gluconate and the role of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase reaction for the synthesis from gluconeogenic precursors such as glutamate. The virtual absence of any activity of phosphomannose isomerase in cell extracts of several independent mucoid bacteria and the impairment of alginate synthesis from mannitol in mutants lacking phosphoglucose isomerase or glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase rule out free mannose 6-phosphate as an intermediate in alginate biosynthesis.     

Regulation of Glucose Metabolism in Thiobacillus intermedius

Glucose-yeast extract or glucose-casein hydrolysate-grown Thiobacillus intermedius cells, which use glucose for energy generation, possess high specific activities of the Entner-Doudoroff pathway and related enzymes, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrase, 2-keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconate aldolase, glucokinase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, but low activities of enzymes unique to the pentose shunt and Embden-Meyerhof pathways. Although the synthesis of the latter enzymes remains largely unaffected by the growth environment, that of the former is stimulated by glucose. Radiorespirometric measurements demonstrate an early and parallel respiration of glucose carbon atoms one and four in glucose-casein hydrolysate broth. It is concluded that the Entner-Doudoroff pathway performs an energetic role in glucose metabolism by T. intermedius with the pentose shunt and Embden-Meyerhof pathways functioning mainly in biosynthesis. The presence of thiosulfate in the growth medium inhibits the synthesis of the Entner-Doudoroff pathway and related enzymes. In addition, both thiosulfate and glucose inhibit the synthesis of the Krebs cycle enzymes, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-linked isocitrate and alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenases. Thus, repression of enzymes is of significance in the adaptation of T. intermedius to its nutritional environment. The activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase of T. intermedius is inhibited by adenosine triphosphate. Such a control could afford the organism a mechanism to regulate the flow of glucose into major energetic and biosynthetic routes.     

Adenosine triphosphate-linked control of Pseudomonas aeruginosa glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase

Extracts of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 7700) cells grown on glucose, gluconate, or glycerol had enzyme activities related to the Entner-Doudoroff pathway. These activities were present in no more than trace amounts when the bacteria were grown on succinate. Fructose-1,6-diphosphate aldolase could not be detected in extracts of the bacteria grown on any of the above carbon sources. Therefore, it appears that P. aeruginosa degrades glucose via an inducible Entner-Doudoroff pathway. The apparent absence of fructose-1,6-diphosphate aldolase in cells growing on succinate suggests that the bacteria can form hexose and pentose phosphates from succinate by an alternate route. d-Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, a branch-point enzyme of the Entner-Doudoroff pathway, was purified 50-fold from glucose-grown cells. Its molecular weight, estimated by sucrose density gradient centrifugation, was found to be approximately 190,000. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by adenosine triphosphate, guanosine triphosphate, and deoxyguanosine triphosphate, which decreased the apparent binding of glucose-6-phosphate to the enzyme. It is suggested that adenine nucleotide-linked control of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase may regulate the overall catabolism of hexose phosphates and prevent their wasteful degradation under certain conditions requiring gluconeogenesis.     

A cytochemical method for measuring enzyme activity in individual preovulatory mouse oocytes

The activities of 6 enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism were determined quantitatively in preovulatory oocytes by cytochemical means per individual cell as well as biochemically in cell homogenates. Oocytes were incorporated in a polyacrylamide matrix for appropriate enzyme cytochemical staining. This incorporation preserves the morphology of the cells very well, and the enzymes keep their activity for a considerable period of time. This method could also be used to demonstrate more than one enzyme activity in the same cell. The results obtained by cytochemical means appeared to correlate very well with the biochemical data (P less than 0.005). Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, the key-enzyme in the pentose phosphate pathway, had very high activity in these preovulatory oocytes, but 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activity was only about 2% of that of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase. The activities of lactate dehydrogenase and to a lesser extent glucose phosphate isomerase and D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase also appeared to be very high, while hexokinase showed a very low activity.