Phosphoglycerate mutase

Definition

Phosphoglycerate mutase is an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of 3-phosphoglycerate to 2-phosphoglycerate in the glycolytic pathway. This enzyme plays a crucial role in energy metabolism by facilitating the rearrangement of phosphate groups, enabling further breakdown of glucose to produce ATP. It is essential for maintaining the flow of carbon through key metabolic pathways.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Phosphoglycerate mutase operates at a key point in glycolysis, ensuring that the substrate can be processed for energy production.
2. The enzyme functions through a two-step mechanism involving a phosphorylated histidine residue, which facilitates the transfer of phosphate groups.
3. Mutase activity is crucial for maintaining the balance between 3-phosphoglycerate and 2-phosphoglycerate during glycolysis.
4. Deficiencies in phosphoglycerate mutase can lead to metabolic disorders and impact overall energy production in cells.
5. This enzyme is not only found in glycolysis but also plays a role in gluconeogenesis, allowing for the synthesis of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources.

Review Questions

• How does phosphoglycerate mutase contribute to the efficiency of glycolysis?
  • Phosphoglycerate mutase contributes to the efficiency of glycolysis by catalyzing the reversible conversion of 3-phosphoglycerate to 2-phosphoglycerate. This reaction is essential for maintaining a continuous flow of intermediates through the glycolytic pathway, ensuring that energy production via ATP synthesis can proceed without interruption. By facilitating this rearrangement, the enzyme helps optimize the energy yield from glucose breakdown.
• What is the significance of the two-step mechanism employed by phosphoglycerate mutase in terms of enzyme function?
  • The two-step mechanism employed by phosphoglycerate mutase involves first forming a phosphorylated intermediate that allows for the transfer of the phosphate group from one carbon position to another. This unique mechanism highlights how enzymes can effectively manipulate molecular structures to facilitate metabolic processes. It underscores the enzyme's precision and specificity, which are vital for efficient energy metabolism and metabolic flexibility.
• Evaluate how disruptions in phosphoglycerate mutase activity could affect overall cellular metabolism and energy production.
  • Disruptions in phosphoglycerate mutase activity can lead to significant metabolic consequences, such as decreased efficiency in glycolysis and impaired ATP production. If 3-phosphoglycerate cannot be efficiently converted to 2-phosphoglycerate, it can cause a bottleneck in energy production pathways, leading to reduced energy availability for cellular processes. This impairment could ultimately affect cellular health, growth, and function, illustrating the critical role this enzyme plays in maintaining metabolic balance and energy homeostasis.

Related terms

Glycolysis: Glycolysis is the metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose into pyruvate, producing ATP and NADH as energy carriers.

Phosphorylation: Phosphorylation is the addition of a phosphate group to a molecule, which can change the molecule's function or activity.

Enzyme Kinetics: Enzyme kinetics is the study of the rates of enzyme-catalyzed reactions and how they change in response to varying conditions.