Which enzyme is an allosteric regulator in glycolysis?

Which enzyme is an allosteric regulator in glycolysis?

• A. Phosphofructokinase
• B. Aldolase
• C. Hexokinase
• D. Pyruvate Kinase

Answer: (A)

Phosphofructokinase (PFK) serves as a critical allosteric regulator in glycolysis, primarily due to its role in controlling the flow of glucose through this metabolic pathway. PFK is the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of fructose-6-phosphate to fructose-1,6-bisphosphate, and it is recognized as a major point of regulation. As an allosteric enzyme, its activity is modulated by the concentrations of various metabolites. For instance, high levels of ATP (indicative of sufficient energy) inhibit PFK, while high levels of AMP and fructose-2,6-bisphosphate (indicative of low energy) activate it. This allosteric regulation allows the cell to respond to its energy status and ensures that glycolysis is only activated when necessary, maintaining overall metabolic balance. In contrast, the other enzymes listed—aldolase, hexokinase, and pyruvate kinase—do not exhibit the same level of allosteric regulation within glycolysis. Aldolase is involved in the splitting of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate but is not known for allosteric regulation. Hexokinase catalyzes the phosphorylation of glucose

Phosphofructokinase (PFK) serves as a critical allosteric regulator in glycolysis, primarily due to its role in controlling the flow of glucose through this metabolic pathway. PFK is the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of fructose-6-phosphate to fructose-1,6-bisphosphate, and it is recognized as a major point of regulation.

As an allosteric enzyme, its activity is modulated by the concentrations of various metabolites. For instance, high levels of ATP (indicative of sufficient energy) inhibit PFK, while high levels of AMP and fructose-2,6-bisphosphate (indicative of low energy) activate it. This allosteric regulation allows the cell to respond to its energy status and ensures that glycolysis is only activated when necessary, maintaining overall metabolic balance.

In contrast, the other enzymes listed—aldolase, hexokinase, and pyruvate kinase—do not exhibit the same level of allosteric regulation within glycolysis. Aldolase is involved in the splitting of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate but is not known for allosteric regulation. Hexokinase catalyzes the phosphorylation of glucose