UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase catalyzes the removal of a pyrophosphate group from UTP as it synthesizes UDP-glucose. Why is this necessary, from a biochemical perspective? Both of the phosphate groups from UTP are needed to form UDP-glucose. There is no particular reason: wasteful reactions just happen sometimes. The pyrophosphate (after hydrolysis) is required to free up more phosphate for the synthesis of ATP by oxidative phosphorylation. The subsequent hydrolysis of pyrophosphate is a highly exergonic reaction, which pulls the equilibrium over towards UDP-glucose. Pyrophosphate is an allosteric activator of glycogen synthase, so this helps glycogen synthesis to proceed at a faster rate.
UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase catalyzes the removal of a pyrophosphate group from UTP as it synthesizes UDP-glucose. Why is this necessary, from a biochemical perspective? Both of the phosphate groups from UTP are needed to form UDP-glucose. There is no particular reason: wasteful reactions just happen sometimes. The pyrophosphate (after hydrolysis) is required to free up more phosphate for the synthesis of ATP by oxidative phosphorylation. The subsequent hydrolysis of pyrophosphate is a highly exergonic reaction, which pulls the equilibrium over towards UDP-glucose. Pyrophosphate is an allosteric activator of glycogen synthase, so this helps glycogen synthesis to proceed at a faster rate.
Biochemistry
9th Edition
ISBN:9781319114671
Author:Lubert Stryer, Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko, Gregory J. Gatto Jr.
Publisher:Lubert Stryer, Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko, Gregory J. Gatto Jr.
Chapter1: Biochemistry: An Evolving Science
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1P
Related questions
Question
Transcribed Image Text:UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase catalyzes the removal of a pyrophosphate group
from UTP as it synthesizes UDP-glucose. Why is this necessary, from a biochemical
perspective?
Both of the phosphate groups from UTP are needed to form UDP-glucose.
There is no particular reason: wasteful reactions just happen sometimes.
The pyrophosphate (after hydrolysis) is required to free up more phosphate for
the synthesis of ATP by oxidative phosphorylation.
The subsequent hydrolysis of pyrophosphate is a highly exergonic reaction,
which pulls the equilibrium over towards UDP-glucose.
Pyrophosphate is an allosteric activator of glycogen synthase, so this helps
glycogen synthesis to proceed at a faster rate.
Expert Solution
This question has been solved!
Explore an expertly crafted, step-by-step solution for a thorough understanding of key concepts.
This is a popular solution!
Trending now
This is a popular solution!
Step by step
Solved in 2 steps
Recommended textbooks for you
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9781319114671
Author:
Lubert Stryer, Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko, Gregory J. Gatto Jr.
Publisher:
W. H. Freeman
Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9781464126116
Author:
David L. Nelson, Michael M. Cox
Publisher:
W. H. Freeman
Fundamentals of Biochemistry: Life at the Molecul…
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9781118918401
Author:
Donald Voet, Judith G. Voet, Charlotte W. Pratt
Publisher:
WILEY
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9781319114671
Author:
Lubert Stryer, Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko, Gregory J. Gatto Jr.
Publisher:
W. H. Freeman
Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9781464126116
Author:
David L. Nelson, Michael M. Cox
Publisher:
W. H. Freeman
Fundamentals of Biochemistry: Life at the Molecul…
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9781118918401
Author:
Donald Voet, Judith G. Voet, Charlotte W. Pratt
Publisher:
WILEY
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9781305961135
Author:
Mary K. Campbell, Shawn O. Farrell, Owen M. McDougal
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9781305577206
Author:
Reginald H. Garrett, Charles M. Grisham
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Fundamentals of General, Organic, and Biological …
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9780134015187
Author:
John E. McMurry, David S. Ballantine, Carl A. Hoeger, Virginia E. Peterson
Publisher:
PEARSON