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Hexokinase and glucokinase are enzymes responsible for phosphorylating glucose to form glucose-6-phosphate (G6P), a key step in glucose metabolism. While both enzymes perform the same biochemical reaction, they differ in their location, regulation, and kinetic properties, making them suited to their specific roles in the body.
Feature | Hexokinase | Glucokinase |
---|---|---|
Location | Most tissues, except liver and pancreatic β cells | Liver, β cells of pancreas |
Km (affinity for glucose) | Lower (higher affinity for glucose) | Higher (lower affinity for glucose) |
Vmax (capacity) | Lower (lower capacity to phosphorylate glucose) | Higher (higher capacity to phosphorylate glucose) |
Induced by insulin | No | Yes |
Feedback inhibition | By glucose-6-phosphate | By fructose-6-phosphate |
Understand the differences between hexokinase and glucokinase in terms of their location, Km, Vmax, regulation, and role in glucose metabolism, especially for maintaining glucose homeostasis during fasting and feeding.