Regulation of rat liver fructose 2,6-bisphosphatase

Characterization of yeast fructose-2,6-bisphosphate 6-phosphatase

To obtain information on the biological significance of yeast fructose-2,6-bisphosphate 6-phosphatase, kinetic data of the purified enzyme [(1987) Eur. J. Biochem. 164, 27-30] have been measured. Maximal activity was found between pH 6 and 7, the apparent Michaelis constant with fructose 2,6-bisphosphate was 7.2 microM at pH 6.0 and 79 microM at pH 7.0. Concentrations required for 50% inhibition of the enzyme at pH 6.0 were 8 microM Fru2P, 45 microM G1c6P, 80 microM Fru6P and 200 microM inorganic phosphate. The known intracellular steady-state level of about 10 microM fructose 2,6-bisphosphate in the presence of glucose is likely to be the result of a balance between the rapid synthesis of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate catalyzed by 6-phosphofructose 2-kinase and a fructose 2,6-bisphosphate degrading activity. The biological function of fructose-2,6-bisphosphate 6-phosphatase with an apparent Michaelis constant between 7 and 79 microM fructose 2,6-bisphosphate at pH 6-7 is therefore suggested to participate in the maintenance of a steady-state level of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate in a concentration range that fits well with the Michaelis constant of the enzyme.

Nucleotide sequence of aceK, the gene encoding isocitrate dehydrogenase kinase/phosphatase

In Escherichia coli, the phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) are catalyzed by a bifunctional protein kinase/phosphatase. We have determined the nucleotide sequence of aceK, the gene encoding IDH kinase/phosphatase. This gene consists of a single open reading frame of 1,734 base pairs preceded by a Shine-Dalgarno ribosome-binding site. Examination of the deduced amino acid sequence of IDH kinase/phosphatase revealed sequences which are similar to the consensus sequence for ATP-binding sites. This protein did not, however, exhibit the extensive sequence homologies which are typical of other protein kinases. Multiple copies of the REP family of repetitive extragenic elements were found within the intergenic region between aceA (encoding isocitrate lyase) and aceK. These elements have the potential for combining to form an exceptionally stable stem-loop structure (delta G = -54 kcal/mol [ca. -226 kJ/mol]) in the mRNA. This structure, which masks the ribosome-binding site and start codon for aceK, may contribute to the downshift in expression observed between aceA and aceK. Another potential stem-loop structure (delta G = -29 kcal/mol [ca. 121 kJ/mol]), unrelated to the REP sequences, was found within aceK.

Electrophoretic determination of fructose 6-phosphate,2-kinase

An electrophoretic determination of fructose 6-phosphate,2-kinase activity has been devised. The enzymes partially purified from bovine liver and heart were subjected to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the production of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate, coupled to the activation of potato PPi:phosphofructokinase, was detected as the dark band due to the disappearance of the fluorescence evoked by NADH consumption. The enzyme from bovine heart showed slower electrophoretic mobility than that from bovine liver, strongly suggesting the possibility that they may be distinct enzyme forms. Rat liver enzyme also gave a mobility different from that of both bovine liver and heart enzymes. Our present procedure will provide a new tool for understanding fructose-6-phosphate,2-kinase/fructose 2,6-bisphosphatase system in various tissues.

Photoaffinity labelling shows that Escherichia coli isocitrate dehydrogenase kinase/phosphatase contains a single ATP-binding site

Ultraviolet irradiation of E.coli isocitrate dehydrogenase kinase/phosphatase in the presence of 8-azidoATP resulted in parallel losses of its kinase and phosphatase activities, and in covalent attachment of the reagent to the protein at a single site. ATP and ADP protected the two activities to similar extents. The data suggest that the activation of the phosphatase by adenine nucleotides results from binding of the nucleotides to the active site of the kinase.

Mechanisms of hormonal regulation of hepatic glucose metabolism

Acute hormonal regulation of liver carbohydrate metabolism mainly involves changes in the cytosolic levels of cAMP and Ca2+. Epinephrine, acting through beta 2-adrenergic receptors, and glucagon activate adenylate cyclase in the liver plasma membrane through a mechanism involving a guanine nucleotide-binding protein that is stimulatory to the enzyme. The resulting accumulation of cAMP leads to activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, which, in turn, phosphorylates many intracellular enzymes involved in the regulation of glycogen metabolism, gluconeogenesis, and glycolysis. These are (1) phosphorylase b kinase, which is activated and, in turn, phosphorylates and activates phosphorylase, the rate-limiting enzyme for glycogen breakdown; (2) glycogen synthase, which is inactivated and is rate-controlling for glycogen synthesis; (3) pyruvate kinase, which is inactivated and is an important regulatory enzyme for glycolysis; and (4) the 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose 2,6-bisphosphatase bifunctional enzyme, phosphorylation of which leads to decreased formation of fructose 2,6-P2, which is an activator of 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase and an inhibitor of fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase, both of which are important regulatory enzymes for glycolysis and gluconeogenesis. In addition to rapid effects of glucagon and beta-adrenergic agonists to increase hepatic glucose output by stimulating glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis and inhibiting glycogen synthesis and glycolysis, these agents produce longer-term stimulatory effects on gluconeogenesis through altered synthesis of certain enzymes of gluconeogenesis/glycolysis and amino acid metabolism. For example, P-enolpyruvate carboxykinase is induced through an effect at the level of transcription mediated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Tyrosine amino-transferase, serine dehydratase, tryptophan oxygenase, and glucokinase are also regulated by cAMP, in part at the level of specific messenger RNA synthesis. The sympathetic nervous system and its neurohumoral agonists epinephrine and norepinephrine also rapidly alter hepatic glycogen metabolism and gluconeogenesis acting through alpha 1-adrenergic receptors. The primary response to these agonists is the phosphodiesterase-mediated breakdown of the plasma membrane polyphosphoinositide phosphatidylinositol 4,5-P2 to inositol 1,4,5-P3 and 1,2-diacylglycerol. This involves a guanine nucleotide-binding protein that is different from those involved in the regulation of adenylate cyclase. Inositol 1,4,5-P3 acts as an intracellular messenger for Ca2+ mobilization by releasing Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Bisphosphorylated metabolites of glycerate, glucose, and fructose: functions, metabolism and molecular pathology

2,3-Bisphosphoglycerate, glucose 1,6-P2 and fructose 2,6-P2 have been recognized as regulatory signals implicated in the control of metabolism, oxygen affinity of red cells and other cellular functions. The alterations of their metabolism constitute a novel area in molecular pathology. The concentration of 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate in erythrocytes changes in a number of pathological conditions. An inherited deficiency of the multifunctional enzyme involved in the synthesis and breakdown of 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate in erythrocytes has been reported. The levels of glucose 1,6-P2 are reduced in the liver and in the muscle of rats with experimentally induced diabetes. In muscle of genetically dystrophic mice a decrease in the levels of glucose 1,6-P2 has been found, probably resulting from enhancement of glucose 1,6-P2 phosphatase activity. Fructose 2,6-P2 levels are decreased in the liver of experimental diabetic mice and rats, and elevated in the liver of genetically obese animals.

Hepatic 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase: phosphate dependence and effects of other oxyanions

The effects of various oxyanions on the activities of rat liver 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase (EC 2.7.1.105/3.1.3.46) were examined. No evidence could be found for an absolute dependence of the kinase activity on inorganic phosphate as was recently reported by M. Laloux, E. Van Schaftingen, and H.-G. Hers ((1985) Eur. J. Biochem. 148, 155-159). Rather, phosphate and arsenate activated the kinase by decreasing the enzyme's Km for fructose 6-phosphate without affecting its Km for ATP or Vmax. The Km of the kinase for fructose 6-phosphate in the presence of inorganic phosphate was found to be significantly lower (6 microM) than previously reported (30 microM) when the hydrolysis of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate by the concomitant bisphosphatase activity at low Fru 6-P concentrations was taken into account. The KA's for phosphate and arsenate activation of the kinase were 0.2 and 0.3 mM, respectively. A number of other oxyanions, including pyrophosphate, sulfate, tungstate, selenate, and molybdate all inhibited the kinase by increasing the Km for fructose 6-phosphate. The apparent Ki's for inhibition of the kinase were in the 0.5-1 mM range. In contrast, all of these oxyanions activated the bisphosphatase, with half-maximal effects requiring millimolar concentrations. Inorganic phosphate was the most potent activator with a KA of 1 mM. In contrast to the other oxyanions, vanadate and meta-periodate inhibited the kinase but had no effect on the bisphosphatase. Vanadate appeared to be a noncompetitive inhibitor since its effects were not overcome by Pi, ATP, or fructose 6-phosphate, and the species responsible was shown to be decavanadate. Like vanadate, meta-periodate had no effect on the bisphosphatase, though it was a potent inhibitor (I0.5 = 30 microM) of the kinase. Its effects were shown to be time-dependent and reversed by dithiothreitol, suggesting that it acted by an oxidative mechanism. These results augment the mounting body of evidence that the enzyme's two reactions are catalyzed at discrete active sites.

Effect of tolbutamide on fructose-6-phosphate,2-kinase and fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase in rat liver

The effects of tolbutamide on the activities of fructose-6-phosphate,2-kinase and fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase were examined using rat hepatocytes. Tolbutamide stimulated fructose-6-phosphate,2-kinase activity and inhibited fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase activity, resulting in an increase of fructose-2,6-bisphosphate level. Changes in the activities of the enzyme by tolbutamide were due to variation in the Km value, but not dependent on alteration of Vmax. Glucagon inhibition of fructose-2,6-bisphosphate formation resulting from an inactivation of fructose-6-phosphate,2-kinase and an activation of fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase was released by tolbutamide. Tolbutamide stimulation of fructose-2,6-bisphosphate formation through regulation of fructose-6-phosphate,2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase may produce enhancement of glycolysis and inhibition of gluconeogenesis in the liver.

Reaction of phosphofructokinase 2/fructose 2,6-bisphosphatase with monoclonal antibodies. A proof of the bifunctionality of the enzyme

Monoclonal antibodies were derived from mice immunized against homogeneous chicken liver phosphofructokinase 2/fructose 2,6-bisphosphatase. Of 112 clones, 30 were found to secrete antibodies that specifically reacted with the antigen in enzyme-linked immunoabsorbant assay (ELISA) while 17, which were ELISA-negative, produced antibodies that affected the enzymic activity of the antigen. Four clones were subcloned and used for an extensive investigation of the reaction of the corresponding antibodies with the supposedly bifunctional enzyme. A definite proof of the bifunctionality of the enzyme was obtained from the two following observations. First, the two activities were similarly retained by the four antibodies that had been coupled to Sepharose. Second, one of the antibodies inhibited both activities with the same efficiency. Furthermore, the antigen-antibody reaction led to the formation of aggregates with an apparent molecular mass of several megadaltons, showing that the two subunits of the antigen reacted with the same antibody and were therefore identical. The four monoclonal antibodies affected the activity of phosphofructokinase 2. This effect was seen as an up to 17-fold activation as well as an up to 85% inhibition. Only one of the four antibodies (antibody 10) had inhibitory effects on fructose 2,6-bisphosphatase, an effect which was in part explained by a decrease in the rate of formation of the intermediary phosphoenzyme. All the effects described above were obtained on both the chicken liver and the pigeon muscle enzymes but with lower doses of antibody in the case of the former enzyme. Antibody 10 was also shown to react with mouse liver phosphofructokinase 2/fructose 2,6-bisphosphatase, and with phosphofructokinase 2 from chicken brain, heart and testis and from frog skeletal muscle and liver. None of the four antibodies cross-reacted with phosphofructokinase 2 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae or from spinach leaves.

The effect of arabinose 1,5-bisphosphate on rat hepatic 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase

The alpha- and beta-anomers of arabinose 1,5-bisphosphate and ribose 1,5-bisphosphate were tested as effectors of rat liver 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase. Both anomers of arabinose 1,5-bisphosphate activated the kinase and inhibited the bisphosphatase. The alpha-anomer was the more effective kinase activator while the beta-anomer was the more potent inhibitor of the bisphosphatase. Inhibition of the bisphosphatase by both anomers was competitive, and both potentiated allosteric inhibition by AMP. beta-Arabinose 1,5-bisphosphate was also more effective in decreasing fructose 2,6-bisphosphate binding to the enzyme. Neither anomer of ribose 1,5-bisphosphate affected 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase or fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, indicating that the configuration of the C-2 (C-3 in Fru 2,6-P2) hydroxyl group is important for biological activity. These results are also consistent with arabinose 1,5-bisphosphate binding to the active site and thereby enhancing the interaction of AMP with the allosteric site.

Reversible regulation of the nitrogenase iron protein from Rhodospirillum rubrum by ADP-ribosylation in vitro

Nitrogenase activity in the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodospirillum rubrum is reversibly regulated by interconversion of the Fe protein between a modified and an unmodified form. Since the discovery of the activation process in 1976, investigators have been unable to demonstrate the inactivation (modification) reaction in vitro. In this study, NAD-dependent modification and concomitant inactivation of the Fe protein were demonstrated in crude extracts of R. rubrum. Activation of the in vitro-modified Fe protein by activating enzyme and structural similarity between the in vivo and in vitro modifications are presented as evidence that the in vitro modification is the physiologically relevant ADP-ribosylation reaction. Using a partially purified preparation, we showed that the inactivating enzyme activity is stimulated by divalent metal ions and ADP, that O2-denatured Fe protein will not serve as a substrate, and that dithionite inhibits the modification reaction.

Activation and inactivation of an enzyme catalyzed by a single, bifunctional protein: a new example and why

Recent studies have shown that the light-dark mediated regulation of the leaf photosynthetic enzyme pyruvate, Pi dikinase results from interconversion between an active nonphosphorylated form of the enzyme and an inactive form phosphorylated on a threonine residue. These phosphorylation and dephosphorylation reactions are apparently catalyzed by a single protein termed the pyruvate, Pi dikinase regulatory protein and, notably, both reactions are mechanistically unique. We consider the evidence that this regulatory protein belongs to a group of unusual bifunctional enzymes that catalyze opposing reactions, apparently at separate catalytic sites on the same polypeptide. In three of the four known cases these bifunctional enzymes interconvert the active and inactive forms of another enzyme. The possible advantages of such opposing reactions being catalyzed by the same protein are considered.

Studies of the structure of fructose-6-phosphate 2-kinase:fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase

Some physicochemical properties of a homogeneous preparation of a bifunctional enzyme, fructose-6-phosphate 2-kinase:fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase, were determined. The molecular weight of the enzyme is 101 000 as determined by high-speed sedimentation equilibrium. The molecular weight of dissociated enzyme is 55 000 in 6 M guanidinium chloride by sedimentation equilibrium and in sodium dodecyl sulfate by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A value of 4.7 was observed for the isoelectric point. Tryptic peptide maps and high-performance liquid chromatography of the trypsin-digested enzyme revealed approximately 60 peptides. Amino acid analysis of the enzyme shows that it contains 27 lysine and 36 arginine residues per 55 000 daltons. No free N-terminal amino acid residue was detectable, suggesting that it is blocked. Hydrolysis of the enzyme by carboxypeptidases A and B releases tyrosine followed by histidine and arginine, indicating that the amino acid sequence at the carboxyl terminus is probably -Arg-His-Tyr. Tryptic digestion of [32P]phosphofructose-6-phosphate 2-kinase:fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase yields a 32P-labeled peptide detected by tryptic peptide mapping and high-performance liquid chromatography. Thermolysin digestion of CNBr-cleaved 32P-enzyme also yields a single 32P-peptide. These results indicate that fructose-6-phosphate 2-kinase:fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase is a dimer of 55 000 daltons and the subunits are very similar, if not identical.

Effect of pentobarbital on fructose 2,6-bisphosphate metabolism in isolated rat hepatocytes

Addition of the commonly used anesthetic pentobarbital to hepatocytes from fed rats resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in the level of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate. At a concentration of pentobarbital (0.4 mM) that lowered fructose 2,6-bisphosphate by 60%, there was no significant change in the level of fructose 6-phosphate, ATP, or L-glycerol 3-phosphate. Higher concentrations of pentobarbital (2 mM) enhanced both glycolysis and glycogenolysis and fructose 2,6-bisphosphate levels were reduced to less than 10% of the control. Concomitant with these changes there was a decrease in ATP, glucose 6-phosphate, and fructose 6-phosphate and a two- and fivefold increase in ADP and AMP, respectively. In hepatocytes from starved rats pentobarbital also lowered ATP levels and inhibited gluconeogenesis but had no effect on either lactate production or the already low level of sugar diphosphate. However, in the fasted case pentobarbital completely prevented the 10-fold elevation of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate brought about by 30 mM glucose. The anesthetic had no effect on cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity or on pyruvate kinase activity in hepatocytes from fed or starved rats but caused reciprocal changes in the activities of the bifunctional enzyme 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose 2,6-bisphosphatase. Kinase activity was decreased and bisphosphatase activity was increased. These results suggest that the effects of pentobarbital on gluconeogenesis and glycolysis are due to inhibition of energy metabolism with elevated AMP levels causing activation of 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase and inhibition of fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Quasi-stationary concentrations of fructose-2,6-bisphosphate in the phosphofructokinase-2/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase cycle

The cooperation of phosphofructokinase-2 and fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase is investigated. Experimentally derived rate laws of the kinase and bisphosphatase activities introduced into the respective differential equations permitted to describe the time evolution of fructose-2,6-bisphosphate to quasi-stationary levels. The two enzyme activities were found to exert strong temperature dependence. The quasi-stationary levels of fructose-2,6-bisphosphate, however, are independent on temperature.

Glucagon physiology and pathophysiology in the light of new advances

Recent advances in the understanding of glucagon-insulin relationships at the level of the islets of Langerhans and of hepatic fuel metabolism are reviewed and their impact on our understanding of glucagon physiology and pathophysiology is considered. It now appears that alpha cells can respond directly to hyperglycaemia in the absence of insulin and beta cells, but that antecedent hyperglycaemia masks or attenuates this response. Insulin appears to exert ongoing release inhibition upon glucagon secretion, probably via the intra-islet microvascular system that connects beta cells to alpha cells. Diabetic hyperglucagonemia in insulin deficient states appears to be secondary to lack of the restraining influence of insulin. The alpha cell response to glucopenia, by contrast, may be in large part mediated by release of noradrenaline from nerve endings in contact with alpha cells. Glucagon's action on glucose and ketone production by hepatocytes is mediated by increase in cyclic-AMP-dependent protein kinase. The opposing action of insulin upon glucagon-mediated events probably occurs largely at this level. Consequently, when glucagon secretion or action is blocked, cyclic-AMP-dependent protein kinase activity is low even in the absence of insulin, explaining why marked glucose and ketone production is absent in bihormonal deficiency states.

The protein phosphatases involved in cellular regulation. Influence of polyamines on the activities of protein phosphatase-1 and protein phosphatase-2A

The effects of polyamines on the oligomeric forms of protein phosphatase-1 (1G), protein phosphatase-2A (2A0, 2A1 and 2A2) and their free catalytic subunits (1C and 2AC) has been studied using homogeneous enzymes isolated from rabbit skeletal muscle. Spermine increased the activity of protein phosphatase-2A towards eight of nine substrates tested. Half-maximal activation was observed at 0.2 mM with optimal effects at 1-2 mM. Above 2 mM, spermine became inhibitory. The most impressive activation of protein phosphatase-2A was obtained with glycogen synthase, especially when phosphorylated at sites-3 (8-15-fold with protein phosphatase-2A1) and phenylalanine hydroxylase (6-7-fold with protein phosphatase-2A1) as substrates. Activation of protein phosphatases 2A0, 2A1 and 2A2 was greater than that observed with 2AC. Spermine was a more potent activator than spermidine, while putrescine had only a small effect. Qualitatively similar results were obtained with five other substrates, although maximal activation was much less (1.3-3-fold with protein phosphatase-2A1). The rate of dephosphorylation of glycogen phosphorylase was decreased by spermine, inhibition being more pronounced with protein phosphatase-2AC than with 2A0, 2A1 and 2A2. Spermine (I50 = 0.1 mM with protein phosphatase-2AC) was a more potent inhibitor than spermidine (I50 = 0.9 mM) or putrescine (I50 = 8 mM). Partially purified preparations of protein phosphatases-2A0, 2A1 and 2A2 from from rat liver were affected by spermine in a similar manner to the homogeneous enzymes from rabbit skeletal muscle. Spermine did not activate protein phosphatase-1 to the same extent as protein phosphatase-2A. Greatest stimulation (2.5-fold) was again observed with glycogen synthase labelled in sites-3, with half-maximal activation at 0.2 mM and optimal effects at 1-2 mM spermine. Spermine was a much more effective stimulator than spermidine, while putrescine was ineffective. Very similar results were obtained with protein phosphatases 1G and 1C. With four other substrates maximal activation by spermine was less than 1.5-fold, while the dephosphorylation of glycogen synthase (labelled in site-2), phosphorylase kinase, pyruvate kinase and glycogen phosphorylase were inhibited. Spermine (I50 = 0.04 mM) was a more potent inhibitor of the dephosphorylation of glycogen phosphorylase than spermidine (I50 = 0.9 mM) or putrescine (I50 = 9 mM).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Isolation and characterization of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase from bovine liver

6-Phosphofructo-2-kinase and fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase activities were copurified to homogeneity from bovine liver. The purification scheme consisted of polyethylene glycol precipitation, anion-exchange and Blue-Sepharose chromatography, substrate elution from phosphocellulose, and gel filtration. The bifunctional enzyme had an apparent molecular weight of 102,000 and consisted of two subunits (Mr 49,000). The kinase had a Km for ATP of 12 microM and a S0.5 for fructose 6-phosphate of 150 microM while the bisphosphatase had a Km for fructose 2,6-bisphosphate of 7 microM. Both activities were subject to modulation by various effectors. Inorganic phosphate stimulated both activities, while alpha-glycerolphosphate inhibited the kinase and stimulated the bisphosphatase. The pH optimum for the 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase activity was 8.5, while the fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase reaction was maximal at pH 6.5. Incubation of the purified enzyme with [gamma-32P]ATP and the catalytic subunit of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase resulted in 32P incorporation to the extent of 0.7 mol/mol enzyme subunit with concomitant inhibition of the kinase activity and activation of the bisphosphatase activity. The mediation of the bisphosphatase reaction by a phosphoenzyme intermediate was suggested by the isolation of a stable labeled phosphoenzyme when the enzyme was incubated with fructose 2,6-[2-32P]bisphosphate. The pH dependence of hydrolysis of the phospho group suggested that it was linked to the N3 of a histidyl residue. The 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase from bovine liver has properties essentially identical to those of the rat liver enzyme, suggesting that hepatic fructose 2,6-bisphosphate metabolism is under the same control in both species.

Phosphate dependency of phosphofructokinase 2

Experiments performed at micromolar concentrations of inorganic phosphate support the conclusion that liver phosphofructokinase 2 would be completely inactive in the absence of inorganic phosphate or arsenate. The concentration of inorganic phosphate that allowed half-maximal activity decreased with increasing pH, being approximately 0.11 mM at pH 6.5 and 0.05 mM at pH 8. The effect of phosphate was to increase V and to decrease Km for fructose 6-phosphate, without affecting Km for ATP. Citrate and P-enolpyruvate inhibited the enzyme non-competitively with fructose 6-phosphate and independently of the concentration of inorganic phosphate. Phosphorylation of the enzyme by the catalytic subunit of cyclic-AMP-dependent protein kinase did not markedly modify the phosphate requirement and its effect of inactivating phosphofructokinase 2 could not be counteracted by excess phosphate. A nearly complete phosphate dependency was also observed with phosphofructokinase 2 purified from Saccharomyces cerevisiae or from spinach leaves. By contrast, the fructose 2,6-bisphosphatase activity of the liver bifunctional enzyme was not dependent on the presence of inorganic phosphate. Phosphate increased this activity about threefold when measured in the absence of added fructose 6-phosphate and a half-maximal effect was reached at approximately 0.5 mM phosphate. Like glycerol phosphate, phosphate counteracted the inhibition of fructose 2,6-bisphosphatase by fructose 6-phosphate, but a much higher concentration of phosphate than of glycerol phosphate was required to reach this effect.

The protein phosphatases involved in cellular regulation. Glycolysis, gluconeogenesis and aromatic amino acid breakdown in rat liver

The identities of the protein phosphatases involved in the regulation of hepatic glycolysis, gluconeogenesis and aromatic amino acid breakdown were investigated using 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, L-pyruvate kinase, phenylalanine hydroxylase and the bifunctional enzyme 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase as substrates. Purified preparations of protein phosphatases-1, 2A, 2B and 2C exhibited activity towards all five substrates in vitro, although phosphatases-1 and 2B were only weakly active. Studies in liver extracts using inhibitor-2 and trifluoperazine, which inhibit protein phosphatase-1 and 2B, respectively, confirmed that these phosphatases are unlikely to be important in dephosphorylating these substrates in vivo. Sequential fractionation of rat liver extracts by anion-exchange chromatography and gel-filtration failed to resolve any protein phosphatases acting on each substrate, apart from protein phosphatases-2A and 2C. The present results, together with those described in the following paper (in this journal) indicate that under the assay conditions used, protein phosphatase-2A is the most powerful phosphatase acting on each substrate, although protein phosphatase-2C contributes a significant percentage of the activity towards 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase. No clear evidence was obtained for a role of metabolites in the regulation of dephosphorylation of the five substrates. This study reinforces our contention that only a few serine-specific and threonine-specific protein phosphatase catalytic subunits participate in cellular regulation.

Pentobarbital-anesthesia decreases fructose 2,6-bisphosphate levels in rat liver

Fructose 2,6-bisphosphate levels were assayed in freeze-clamped livers of anesthesized rats. All doses of pentobarbital that were effective in anesthesizing the rats caused a significant decrease in fructose 2,6-bisphosphate levels. Injection of pentobarbital also resulted in decreased 6-phosphofructo 2-kinase activity and increased fructose 2,6-bisphosphatase activity measured in dialyzed (NH4)2SO4-treated liver extracts but with no change in pyruvate kinase activity. It was concluded that the anesthesia-induced decrease in fructose 2,6-bisphosphate levels results at least in part from increased phosphorylation of 6-phosphofructo 2-kinase/fructose 2,6-bisphosphatase.