Glycogen Metabolism

Glycogen Metabolism

Glycogen

Alpha 1,4-glycosidic linkages predominate, 1,6-glycosidic linkages form the branches.

Glycogenolysis:

Glycogen Phosphorylase:

-Catalyzes the the removal of glucose units from the ends of branches.

-Contains Binding Sites For:

substrates (glycogen, Pi)

co-factor (pyridoxal phosphate)

allosteric activator (AMP)

allosteric inhibitors (ATP, glucose, glucose-6-phosphate)

-Active Form, "a", phosphorylated
-Inactive Form, "b", dephosphorylated

Regulation: complex, to ensure glucose remains stored as glycogen until absolutely required to maintain blood glucose homeostasis or to supply energy to the cell

-Whether or not it is phosphorylated it can exist in a "tense"(inactive) form or a "relaxed" (active) form (only high glucose can force the existence of the phosphorylated tense form).

-The enzyme can be rapidly activated without undergoing phosphorylation in response to a hormonal signal

Activator: AMP

Inhibitor: ATP, glucose, glucose-6-phosphate

Glycogenesis:

Glycogen Synthase Regulation: opposes that of glycogen phosphorylase

Active, dephosphorylated

Inactive, phosphorylated

Glycogen Synthase-i: independent (i) of glucose-6-phosphate for its activity.

Glycogen Synthase-d: dependence (d) on glucose-6-phosphate, mechanism for storing glucose when overabundance is signalled by a build-up of glucose-6-phosphate.