Page 78 - Biochemistry PharmD General
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Glucokinase vs. Hexokinase
• Hexokinase has low Km and therefore can efficiently use low levels of
glucose. But is quickly saturated.
• Glucokinase is found in liver and b-cells of pancreas.
• Glucokinase allows liver to respond to blood glucose levels.
• It has a high Km, so it does not become saturated till very high levels
of glucose are reached.
• At low glucose levels, very little taken up by liver, so is spared for
other tissues.
• Not inhibited by glucose 6-phosphate, allowing accumulation in liver
for storage as glycogen.
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