PFK is about 300 amino acids in length, and structural studies of the bacterial enzyme have shown it comprises two similar (alpha/beta) lobes: one involved in ATP binding and the other housing both the substrate-binding site and the allosteric site (a regulatory binding site distinct from the active site, but that affects enzyme activity). The identical tetramer subunits adopt 2 different conformations: in a 'closed' state, the bound magnesium ion bridges the phosphoryl groups of the enzyme products (ADP and fructose-1,6-bisphosphate); and in an 'open' state, the magnesium ion binds only the ADP,[6] as the 2 products are now further apart. These conformations are thought to be successive stages of a reaction pathway that requires subunit closure to bring the 2 molecules sufficiently close to react.[6]
PFK belongs to the phosphofructokinase B (PfkB) family of sugar kinases.[7] Other members of this family (also known as the Ribokinase family) include ribokinase (RK), adenosine kinase (AK), inosine kinase, and 1-phosphofructokinase.[7][8][9] The members of the PfkB/RK family are identified by the presence of three conserved sequence motifs.[7][8][10] The structures of several PfK family of proteins have been determined from a number of organisms and the enzymatic activity of this family of protein shows a dependence on the presence of pentavalent ions.[11][7][10] PFK is found in isoform versions in skeletal muscle (PFKM), in the liver (PFKL), and from platelets (PFKP), allowing for tissue-specific expression and function. It is still speculated that the isoforms may play a role in specific glycolytic rates in the tissue-specific environments they are in. It has been found in humans that some human tumor cell lines had increased glycolytic productivity and correlated with the increased amount of PFKL.[12][13]
Clinical significance
Deficiency in PFK leads to glycogenosis type VII (Tarui's disease), an autosomal recessive disorder characterised by severe nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps and myoglobinuria in response to bursts of intense or vigorous exercise.[3] Sufferers are usually able to lead a reasonably ordinary life by learning to adjust activity levels.[3]
^Wegener G, Krause U (April 2002). "Different modes of activating phosphofructokinase, a key regulatory enzyme of glycolysis, in working vertebrate muscle". Biochemical Society Transactions. 30 (2): 264–270. doi:10.1042/bst0300264. PMID12023862.
^ abShirakihara Y, Evans PR (December 1988). "Crystal structure of the complex of phosphofructokinase from Escherichia coli with its reaction products". Journal of Molecular Biology. 204 (4): 973–994. doi:10.1016/0022-2836(88)90056-3. PMID2975709.
^ abMaj MC, Singh B, Gupta RS (March 2002). "Pentavalent ions dependency is a conserved property of adenosine kinase from diverse sources: identification of a novel motif implicated in phosphate and magnesium ion binding and substrate inhibition". Biochemistry. 41 (12): 4059–69. doi:10.1021/bi0119161. PMID11900549.