Abstract

Glucose 6-phosphotransferases were investigated in two transplantable rat insulinoma tumor lines. Homogenates of tumors contained glucose phosphorylating activities of both high (e.g. supernatant Km = 0.060 mM and pellet Km = 0.077 mM) and low (Km = 7.6 mM) affinities for glucose. Chromatography of supernatants (105,000 X g) of insulinomas on DEAE-Cibacron Blue F3GA agarose evidenced glucose 6-phosphotransferase activity which eluted similarly to glucokinase from rat liver. Kinetic studies of insulinoma glucokinase also indicated similarity with liver glucokinase, i.e. cooperative rate dependence on glucose concentration and comparable Km values for glucose, and it did not phosphorylate N-acetylglucosamine. These characteristics of glucose 6-phosphotransferase in insulinomas are similar to those of the enzyme found in islets of Langerhans. Since glucokinase is thought to serve as glucose sensor of insulin secretory pancreatic beta-cells, these transplantable insulinomas offer great promise for biochemical and biophysical studies of the nature of glucose-induced insulin release.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.