Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase stimulation

The glucocorticoids have important dose-related effects on carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism. The same effects are responsible for some of the serious adverse effects associated with their use in therapeutic doses. Glucocorticoids stimulate and are required for gluconeogenesis and glycogen synthesis in the fasting state. They stimulate phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, glucose-6-phosphatase, and glycogen synthase and the release of amino acids in the course of muscle catabolism. 

Insulin inhibits transcription of the enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK). PEPCK is a key enzyme in gluconeogenesis and transcription is the primary means of regulating it. By inhibiting PEPCK transcription, insulin can depress glucose production tremendously. (Conversely, the hormone glucagon, which increases blood glucose levels, stimulates PEPCK transcription.)... 

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase is induced. Oxaloacetate produces PEP in a reaction catalyzed by PEPCK. Cytosolic PEPCK is an inducible enzyme, which means that the quantity of the enzyme in the cell increases because of increased transcription of its gene and increased translation of its mRNA. The major inducer is cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), which is increased by hormones that activate adenylate cyclase. Adenylate cyclase produces cAMP from ATP. Glucagon is the hormone that causes cAMP to rise during fasting, whereas epinephrine acts during exercise or stress. cAMP activates protein kinase A, which phosphorylates a set of specific transcription factors (CREB) that stimulate transcription of the PEPCK gene (see Chapter 16 and Pig. 16.18). Increased synthesis of mRNA for PEPCK results in increased synthesis of the enzyme. Cortisol, the major human glucocorticoid, also induces PEPCK. 

Gluconeogenesis is stimulated because the synthesis of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase, and glucose 6-phosphatase is induced and because there is an increased availability of precursors. Fructose 1,6-bisphos-phatase is also activated because the levels of its inhibitor, fructose 2,6-bisphos-phate, are low (Fig. 36.9). During fasting, the activity of the corresponding enzymes of glycolysis is decreased. 

EXAMPLE 13.9 Although not sensitive to allosteric activation, the expression of the gene for phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase is strongly stimulated in early starvation, thus increasing the total amount of the enzyme present and hence its maximal velocity. 

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) in the cytosol needs GTP, is stimulated by glucagon and inhibited by insulin. 

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