Metabolite-induced activation of hepatic phosphofructokinase

Hepatic phosphofructokinase, isolated in a medium containing 100 mM (NH4)2SO4, can be activated by ATP. This metabolite-induced activation was investigated in view of the suggestion that it is related to phosphorylation of phosphofructokinase. The results obtained do not support this interpretation. Inhibitors of protein phosphatases (NaF) and kinases (the Mg++-chelator, ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid) did not affect the recovery of phosphofructokinase. In contrast, media of high ionic strength reduced the phosphofructokinase activity and rendered the enzyme sensitive to ATP-induced activation. Activation was also induced by other known effectors of phosphofructokinase (nucleoside triphosphates, fructose bisphosphates) and was not dependent on Mg++-ions. It is suggested that activation represents ligand-induced reversal of the inactivation of phosphofructokinase which occurs at high ionic strength. The differential sensitivity of phosphofructokinase from fed or starved animals to inactivation and reactivation is discussed.