Biochemistry : Gluconeogenesis Enzymes

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Biochemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #271 : Catabolic Pathways And Metabolism

Which enzyme(s) bypass the pyruvate kinase reaction of glycolysis in gluconeogenesis?

Possible Answers:

fructose bis-phosphatase only

phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) only

pyruvate carboxylase only

phosphoglycerate mutase and pyruvate carboxylase

pyruvate carboxylase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK)

Correct answer:

pyruvate carboxylase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK)

Explanation:

In the first step of gluconeogenesis, pyruvate carboxylase (with ATP and bicarbonate) converts pyruvate to oxaloacetate. Then phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) (with GTP) releases carbon dioxide to give phosphoenolpyruvate.

Example Question #991 : Biochemistry

Which one of the following statements about PEP (phosphoenolpyruvate) synthesis is correct?

Possible Answers:

Pyruvate is converted to PEP by the citric acid cycle.

Pyruvate can be converted to PEP by a mutase.

Pyruvate can be converted to PEP by a combination of reactions that use energy from two different types of nucleotide triphosphate.

Pyruvate can be converted to PEP by pyruvate kinase.

Correct answer:

Pyruvate can be converted to PEP by a combination of reactions that use energy from two different types of nucleotide triphosphate.

Explanation:

GTP and ATP are used to drive the reactions that make pyruvate into PEP. Specifically, ATP catalyzes PEP carboxylase and GTP catalyzes PEP carboxykinase. A mutase moves phosphate groups already on a molecule, so it cannot be used to introduce one. The citric acid cycle can make pyruvate into any of the citric acid intermediates, but PEP isn't one of them. Pyruvate kinase is the enzyme that makes pyruvate into PEP, which is only favorable in the forward direction.

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