Cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase does not solely control the rate of hepatic gluconeogenesis in the intact mouse liver

Cell Metab. 2007 Apr;5(4):313-20. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2007.03.004.

Abstract

When dietary carbohydrate is unavailable, glucose required to support metabolism in vital tissues is generated via gluconeogenesis in the liver. Expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), commonly considered the control point for liver gluconeogenesis, is normally regulated by circulating hormones to match systemic glucose demand. However, this regulation fails in diabetes. Because other molecular and metabolic factors can also influence gluconeogenesis, the explicit role of PEPCK protein content in the control of gluconeogenesis was unclear. In this study, metabolic control of liver gluconeogenesis was quantified in groups of mice with varying PEPCK protein content. Surprisingly, livers with a 90% reduction in PEPCK content showed only a approximately 40% reduction in gluconeogenic flux, indicating a lower than expected capacity for PEPCK protein content to control gluconeogenesis. However, PEPCK flux correlated tightly with TCA cycle activity, suggesting that under some conditions in mice, PEPCK expression must coordinate with hepatic energy metabolism to control gluconeogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carbon Radioisotopes / pharmacokinetics
  • Cytosol / enzymology
  • Deuterium / pharmacokinetics
  • Energy Metabolism / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic
  • Gluconeogenesis / genetics*
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Liver / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Models, Biological
  • Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (GTP) / genetics
  • Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (GTP) / metabolism
  • Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (GTP) / physiology*
  • Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase / genetics
  • Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase / metabolism
  • Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase / physiology*
  • Radioactive Tracers

Substances

  • Carbon Radioisotopes
  • Radioactive Tracers
  • Deuterium
  • Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase
  • Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (GTP)
  • Glucose