The participation of glucose-1,6-diphosphate in the regulation of hexokinase and phosphoglucomutase activities in brains of young and adult rats

Impaired glucose-1,6-biphosphate production due to bi-allelic PGM2L1 mutations is associated with a neurodevelopmental disorder

We describe a genetic syndrome due to PGM2L1 deficiency. PGM2 and PGM2L1 make hexose-bisphosphates, like glucose-1,6-bisphosphate, which are indispensable cofactors for sugar phosphomutases. These enzymes form the hexose-1-phosphates crucial for NDP-sugars synthesis and ensuing glycosylation reactions. While PGM2 has a wide tissue distribution, PGM2L1 is highly expressed in the brain, accounting for the elevated concentrations of glucose-1,6-bisphosphate found there. Four individuals (three females and one male aged between 2 and 7.5 years) with bi-allelic inactivating mutations of PGM2L1 were identified by exome sequencing. All four had severe developmental and speech delay, dysmorphic facial features, ear anomalies, high arched palate, strabismus, hypotonia, and keratosis pilaris. Early obesity and seizures were present in three individuals. Analysis of the children's fibroblasts showed that glucose-1,6-bisphosphate and other sugar bisphosphates were markedly reduced but still present at concentrations able to stimulate phosphomutases maximally. Hence, the concentrations of NDP-sugars and glycosylation of the heavily glycosylated protein LAMP2 were normal. Consistent with this, serum transferrin was normally glycosylated in affected individuals. PGM2L1 deficiency does not appear to be a glycosylation defect, but the clinical features observed in this neurodevelopmental disorder point toward an important but still unknown role of glucose-1,6-bisphosphate or other sugar bisphosphates in brain metabolism.

How glycogen sustains brain function: A plausible allosteric signaling pathway mediated by glucose phosphates

Astrocytic glycogen is the sole glucose reserve of the brain. Both glycogen and glucose are necessary for basic neurophysiology and in turn for higher brain functions. In spite of low concentration, turnover and stimulation-induced degradation, any interference with normal glycogen metabolism in the brain severely affects neuronal excitability and disrupts memory formation. Here, I briefly discuss the glycogenolysis-induced glucose-sparing effect, which involves glucose phosphates as key allosteric effectors in the modulation of astrocytic and neuronal glucose uptake and phosphorylation. I further advance a novel and thus far unexplored effect of glycogenolysis that might be mediated by glucose phosphates.

Anaerobic function of CNS white matter declines with age

The mammalian central nervous system (CNS) is generally believed to be completely dependent on the presence of oxygen (O(2)) to maintain energy levels necessary for excitability. However, previous studies on CNS white matter (WM) have shown that a large subset of CNS-myelinated axons of mice aged 4 to 6 weeks remains excitable in the absence of O(2). We investigated whether this surprising WM tolerance to anoxia varied with age. Acutely isolated mouse optic nerve (MON), a purely myelinated WM tract, was studied electrophysiologically. Excitability in the MONs from 1-month-, 4-month-, and 8-month-old mice was assessed quantitatively as the area under the supramaximal compound action potential (CAP). Anoxia-resistant WM function declined with age. After 60  minutes of anoxia, ∼23% of the CAP remained in 1-month-old mice, 8% in 4-month-old mice, and ∼0 in the 8-month-old group. Our results indicated that although some CNS axons function anaerobically in young adult animals, they lose this ability in later adulthood. This finding may help explain the clinical impression that favorable outcome after stroke and other brain injuries declines with age.

Tissue-specific differences in 2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose metabolism beyond FDG-6-P: a 19F NMR spectroscopy study in the rat

2-Fluoro-[(18)F]-2-deoxy-glucose (FDG) is a positron-emitting analogue of glucose used clinically in positron emission tomography (PET) to assess glucose utilization in diseased and healthy tissue. Originally developed to measure local cerebral glucose utilization rates, it has now found applications in tumour diagnosis and in the study of myocardial glucose uptake. Once taken up into the cell, FDG is phosphorylated to FDG-6-phosphate (FDG-6-P) by hexokinase and was originally believed to be trapped as a terminal metabolite. This 'metabolic trapping' of FDG-6-P forms the basis of the analysis of PET data. In this study, we have used (19)F NMR spectroscopy to investigate FDG metabolism following the injection of a bolus of the glucose tracer into the rat (n=6). Ninety minutes after the (19)FDG injection, the brain, heart, liver and kidneys were removed and the (19)FDG metabolites in each were extracted and quantified. We report that significant metabolism of FDG occurs beyond FDG-6-P in all organs examined and that the extent of this metabolism varies from tissue to tissue (degree of metabolism beyond FDG-6-P, expressed as percentage of total organ FDG content, was brain 45 +/- 3%; heart 29 +/- 2%; liver 22+/-3% and kidney 17 +/- 3%, mean +/- SEM n=6). Furthermore, we demonstrate that the relative accumulation of each metabolite was tissue-dependent and reflected the metabolic and regulatory characteristics of each organ. Such inter-tissue differences may have implications for the mathematical modelling of glucose uptake and phosphorylation using FDG as a glucose tracer.

Hexokinase in astrocytes: kinetic and regulatory properties

Hexokinase (HK, EC 2.7.1.1) is a key enzyme in the control of brain glucose metabolism. The regulatory role of HK in different neural cell types has not been elucidated. In this study we determined some kinetic and regulatory properties of HK in mouse cerebrocortical astrocytes in primary culture. Astroglial HK showed an absolute requirement for Mg-ATP and D-glucose. The pH optimum of HK was between 7.4 and 8.0. For astroglial HK, the Km for Mg-ATP was approximately 208 microM and Vmax approximately 35.4 mU/mg protein. At levels higher than 0.2 mM, D-glucose-1,6-bisphosphate, a known regulator of glycolysis, inhibited astroglial HK in a concentration-dependent manner, with an IC50 of approximately 0.4 mM; at 1.2 mM, it almost completely inhibited HK activity. The results obtained for astroglial HK are compatible with those reported for the highly purified preparations of brain HK. These data are of direct relevance to the assessment of glycolytic flux and its regulation in astrocytes.

Hexose diphosphates and phosphofructokinase in rat brain during development

Fructose 2,6-diphosphate and glucose 1,6-diphosphate concentrations were determined during late gestation and over the course of suckling in rat brain cortex and cerebellum. Cortex fructose 2,6-diphosphate concentration was greatest in neonatal animals and gradually declined thereafter by 25% to reach the adult level at 15 days of age. In contrast, the glucose 1,6-diphosphate concentration increased 4-fold over the same period to reach its highest level by postnatal day 15. Neither cerebellar fructose 2,6-diphosphate nor glucose 1,6-diphosphate concentrations varied significantly. Six day cortex 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase was less sensitive to inhibition by citrate than the enzyme obtained from 15 day pups, and fructose 2,6-diphosphate was better than glucose 1,6-diphosphate at relieving the inhibition imposed by citrate at either age. It is suggested that the rise in cerebral glucose use which occurs during suckling cannot be attributed to either changes in the concentrations of fructose 2,6-diphosphate or glucose 1,6-diphosphate, or the age-related differential sensitivity of 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase toward these effectors.

Glucose 1,6-bisphosphate-overloaded erythrocytes: a strategy to investigate the metabolic role of the bisphosphate in red blood cells

Human erythrocytes overloaded with glucose 1,6-bisphosphate were prepared in order to establish the metabolic significance of this phosphorylated sugar in the intact red cell. The intracellular glucose 1,6-bisphosphate concentration was increased six- and twofold over the normal level by encapsulating (i) the commercially available compound and (ii) the glucose 1,6-bisphosphate synthase obtained from rabbit skeletal muscle, respectively. In both experimental conditions, a reduction of glucose utilization by the loaded cells was observed after reequilibration to the steady state. At the steady state, the concentrations of the glycolytic intermediates and of the adenine nucleotides appeared substantially unmodified when compared with those of controls, with the exception of a 50% reduction of glucose and fructose 6-phosphate measured in erythrocytes encapsulated with exogenous glucose 1,6-bisphosphate. Under the considered experimental conditions, the elevated intracellular glucose 1,6-bisphosphate appears to display an inhibitory effect on hexokinase that overcomes the possible activation of phosphofructokinase or pyruvate kinase.

Lactate, 3-hydroxybutyrate, and glucose as substrates for the early postnatal rat brain

The dependence of cerebral energy metabolism upon glucose, 3-hydroxybutyrate, and lactate as fuel sources during the postnatal period was investigated. The brain of 6 day old suckling pups used very little glucose, but by the 15th postnatal day glucose was the major catabolite. Hydroxybutyrate was not a major brain fuel at either 6 or 15 days of age. Its utilization accounted for only 19% of the brain's total energy needs at 15 days of age, even through blood ketone concentrations are near maximal at this time. Seventy percent of the cerebral metabolic requirements were met by lactate in animals aged 6 days. The major role played by lactate as a substrate for brain metabolism in young pups was not a result of abnormally elevated blood lactate concentrations. The slow catabolism of glucose in young brain can not be explained by low rates of influx or inadequate enzymatic capacity.

Exogenous ATP antagonizes the actions of phospholipase A2, local anesthetics, Ca2+ ionophore A23187, and lithium on glucose-1,6-bisphosphate levels and the activities of phosphofructokinase and phosphoglucomutase in rat muscle

ATP, added externally to the incubation medium of rat diaphragm muscles, abolished the decrease in the levels of glucose-1,6-bisphosphate (Glc-1,6-P2), the powerful regulator of carbohydrate metabolism, induced by phospholipase A2, local anesthetics, Ca2+ ionophore A23187, or lithium. Concomitantly to the changes in Glc-1,6-P2, the potent activator of phosphofructokinase (the rate-limiting enzyme in glycolysis) and phosphoglucomutase, the activities of these enzymes were reduced by the myotoxic agents and restored by exogenous ATP, when assayed under conditions in which these enzymes are sensitive to regulation by Glc-1,6-P2. These findings suggest that ATP may have broad therapeutic action, as it may stimulate the impaired glycolysis in muscle induced by various drugs and conditions which cause muscle weakness or damage.

Glucose 1,6-bisphosphate and fructose 2,6-bisphosphate levels in different types of rat skeletal muscle

1. The concentration of glycogen, glucose 1,6-P2, fructose 2,6-P2 and the content of glycogen phosphorylase, phosphofructokinase, 6-phosphofructo 2-kinase and glucose 1,6-P2 phosphatase activity, have been determined in rat muscles which differ in their fiber composition: extensor digitorum longus, gastrocnemius, diaphragm and soleus. 2. Glucose 1,6-P2 concentration seems to be related to the glycolytic capacity of the muscle, while fructose 2,6-P2 concentration does not. 3. No significant relationship exists between the fiber type and the content in glucose 1,6-P2 phosphatase and 6-phosphofructo 2-kinase activities.

Metabolism of glucose 1,6-P2. I. Enzymes involved in the synthesis of glucose 1,6-P2 in pig tissues

Pig tissues show four enzymatic activities of glucose 1,6-P2 synthesis: (A) 2 [glucose 1-P]----glucose 1,6-P2 + glucose; (B) glucose 1-P + ATP----glucose 1,6-P2 + ADP; (C) glucose 1-P + fructose 1,6-P2----glucose 1,6-P2 + fructose 6-P; (D) glucose 1-P + glycerate 1,3-P2----glucose 1,6-P2 + glycerate 3-P. Brain is the tissue with highest capability of glucose 1,6-P2 synthesis. With the exception of skeletal muscle, activity "D" represents the highest activity of glucose 1,6-P2 synthesis. In muscle, activity "B" is the major activity. The existence of a specific glucose 1,6-P2 synthase which catalyzes reaction "D" is confirmed. Two peaks of such an enzyme are isolated by ion-exchange chromatography. There is an enzyme which specifically catalyzes reaction "C", not previously described. There is a glucose 1-P kinase not identical to phosphofructokinase.

Trifluoperazine abolishes the actions of bradykinin on glucose 1,6-bisphosphate levels and on the activities of glucose 1,6-bisphosphatase, phosphofructokinase and phosphoglucomutase

Injection of trifluoperazine abolished the bradykinin-induced decrease in intracellular concentration of glucose 1,6-bisphosphate (Glc-1,6-P2) in rat tibialis anterior muscle and skin. These changes in Glc-1,6-P2 levels may be attributed to the changes in the activity of glucose 1,6-bisphosphatase (the enzyme that degrades Glc-1,6-P2), which was markedly enhanced by bradykinin and reversed by trifluoperazine. Concomitantly to the changes in Glc-1,6-P2, the potent activator of phosphofructokinase and phosphoglucomutase, the activities of these enzymes were reduced by bradykinin and restored by trifluoperazine. These findings suggest that trifluoperazine treatment may have a beneficial effect on the depressed glycolysis induced by bradykinin in tissue damage.

Opposite changes with age in liver and muscle in the mitochondrial and soluble glucose-1,6-bisphosphate and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase

Glucose-1,6-bisphosphate (Glc-1,6-P2), the powerful regulator of carbohydrate metabolism, was markedly decreased in liver of adult rats (2 months of age) as compared to young rats (1-2 weeks of age). This regulator was found to be present in both the mitochondrial and soluble fractions of liver. Its concentration in both these fractions was decreased with age. Concomitant to the decrease in Glc-1,6-P2, which is a potent inhibitor of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, the activity of this enzyme was markedly increased with age in both the mitochondrial and soluble fractions. However, the increase in this enzyme's activity was more pronounced in the mitochondrial fraction. The mitochondrial enzyme was more susceptible to inhibition by Glc-1,6-P2 as compared to the soluble enzyme, and this may explain the greater enhancement in its activity with age in this fraction. The tibialis anterior muscle exhibited changes with age opposite to those found in liver; Glc-1,6-P2 concentration, in both the mitochondrial and soluble fractions of muscle increased with age, and this increase was accompanied by a concomitant reduction in the activity of the mitochondrial and soluble 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. Similar to liver, the mitochondrial enzyme was more affected by age, as it also exhibited a greater susceptibility to inhibition by Glc-1,6-P2.

Inhibition of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase by glucose 1,6-diphosphate in human normal and malignant colon extracts

Increased activity of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase was found in human colon tumors as compared to the adjacent unaffected mucosa. Glucose 1,6-diphosphate (Glc-1,6-P2), an endogenous potent regulator of glucose metabolism, markedly inhibited the activity of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGD) in extracts of the normal and malignant human colon. Glc-1,6-P2 also inhibited the activity of hexokinase in these extracts. The endogenous levels of Glc-1,6-P2 in the colon and tumors were measured. Since the pentose cycle can be inhibited by Glc-1,6-P2, means to increase endogenous levels of Glc-1,6-P2 or to introduce it into cells, might result in antitumor effects.

Increase in glucose 1,6-bisphosphate levels, activation of phosphofructokinase and phosphoglucomutase, and inhibition of glucose 1,6-bisphosphatase in muscle induced by trifluoperazine

Injection of trifluoperazine (TFP) to rats induced a significant rise in the level of glucose 1,6-bisphosphate (Glc-1,6-P2) in muscle. This increase in Glc-1,6-P2, the potent activator of phosphofructokinase and phosphoglucomutase, was accompanied by a marked activation of both enzymes, when assayed in the absence of exogenous Glc-1,6-P2 under conditions in which these enzymes are sensitive to regulation by endogenous Glc-1,6-P2. Glucose-1,6-bisphosphatase (the enzyme that degrades Glc-1,6-P2) was markedly inhibited following the injection of TFP, which may account for the rise in the Glc-1,6-P2 level. Previous results from this laboratory have revealed that muscle damage or weakness is characterized by a decrease in Glc-1,6-P2 levels, leading to a marked reduction in the activities of phosphoglucomutase and phosphofructokinase (the rate-limiting enzyme in glycolysis). The present results suggest that TFP treatment may have a beneficial effect on the depressed glycolysis in muscle weakness or damage.

Inhibition of mitochondrial and soluble hexokinase from various rat tissues by glucose 1,6-bisphosphate

Mitochondrial and soluble Type I and Type II hexokinase from various rat tissues differed in their susceptibility to inhibition by glucose-1,6-bisphosphate (Glc-1,6-P2). In tissues where Type I is the predominant form, the mitochondrial enzyme was less susceptible to inhibition by Glc-1,6-P2 than the soluble enzyme, especially at high Mg2+ concentration. In tissues where Type II is the predominant form, the mitochondrial enzyme was more susceptible to inhibition by Glc-1,6-P2 than the soluble enzyme, especially at low Mg2+ concentration. The results suggest that changes in the intracellular concentrations of Glc-1,6-P2 and Mg2+ under various conditions would affect the activity of the bound and soluble hexokinase from different tissues in a different manner.

Influence of bradykinin on glucose 1,6-bisphosphate and cyclic GMP levels and on the activities of glucose 1,6-bisphosphatase, phosphofructokinase and phosphoglucomutase in muscle

The intracellular concentration of glucose-1,6-bisphosphate (Glc-1,6-P2) in rat tibialis anterior muscle was markedly decreased following the injection of bradykinin. Injection of bradykinin also induced a significant increase in the level of cyclic GMP in muscle. The activity of glucose-1,6-bisphosphatase, the enzyme that degrades Glc-1,6-P2, was markedly enhanced by bradykinin, which may account for the decrease in the level of Glc-1,6-P2. The decrease in Glc-1,6-P2, the potent activator of phosphofructokinase and phosphoglucomutase, was accompanied by a concomitant reduction in these enzymes' activities. The bradykinin-induced decrease in Glc-1,6-P2 and in the activity of phosphofructokinase, the rate-limiting enzyme in glycolysis, may be involved in the pathogenic influences of this hormone in various clinical conditions.

Age-dependent changes in glucose 1,6-bisphosphate levels and in the activities of glucose 1,6-bisphosphatase, and particulate hexokinase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase in rat skin

The levels of glucose 1,6-bisphosphate (Glc-1,6-P2), the powerful regulator of carbohydrate metabolism, changed in rat skin during growth: Glc-1,6-P2 increased during the first week of age, and thereafter was dramatically reduced during maturation. The activity of glucose 1,6-bisphosphatase, the enzyme that degradates Glc-1,6-P2, changed with age in an invert manner as compared to the changes in Glc-1,6-P2. These findings suggest that the age dependent changes in this enzyme's activity may account for the changes in intracellular Glc-1,6-P2 concentration. The age-related changes in Glc-1,6-P2 were accompanied by concomitant changes in the activities of particulate (mitochondrial) hexokinase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, the two enzymes known to be inhibited by Glc-1,6-P2. The activities of both these enzymes in the soluble fraction were not changed with age. The particulate enzymes were more susceptible to inhibition by Glc-1,6-P2 than the soluble activities, which may explain why only the particulate, but not the soluble activities, correlated with the age-dependent changes in tissue Glc-1,6-P2. These results suggest that the changes in particulate hexokinase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase resulted from changes in intracellular concentration of Glc-1,6-P2. The marked reduction in Glc-1,6-P2 during maturation, accompanied by activation of mitochondrial hexokinase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, may reflect an enhancement in skin metabolism during growth.