The effect of potassium concentration on glycolysis and pyruvate kinase in high potassium and low potassium possum erythrocytes

Abstract

Effects of potassium concentrations on glycolytic rate and pyruvate kinase (PK) activity were investigated in high potassium (HK) and low potassium (LK) erythrocytes from the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus velpecula). Increasing concentrations of potassium resulted in an increase in glycolytic rate and PK activity in both HK and LK possum erythrocytes. Our results are similar to those from HK/LK sheep. We conclude that there is a close link between Na-pump and glycolysis in erythrocytes from sheep and possum.