GLYCOLYSIS

(Embden – Meyerhof Pathway)

 Glycolysis
Glykys = Sweet, Lysis = splitting
During this process one molecule of glucose (6 carbon molecule)
is degraded into two molecules of pyruvate (three carbon
molecule).

Free energy released in this process is stored as 2 molecules of

ATP, and 2 molecules of NADH.

Glucose + 2NAD+ = 2Pyruvate + 2NADH + 2H+ δGo = -146 kJ/mol

2ADP + 2Pi = 2ATP + 2H2O δGo = 2X(30.5 kJ/mol) = 61 kJ/mol
−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−
−−−−−−−
δGo (overall) = -146+61 = -85 kJ/mol

In standard condition glycolysis is an exergonic reaction which

tends to be irreversible because of negative δGo.
→ It is also called as Embden-Meyerhof Pathway (EMP)

→ it is defined as the sequence of reactions converting

glucose or glycogen to pyruvate or lactate with
production of ATP.

→ Enzymes takes place in cytosomal fraction of the

cell.

→ major pathway in tissues lacking mitochondria like

erythrocytes, cornea, lens etc.

→ it is essential for brain which is dependent in

glucose for energy.
→ under anaerobic condition = glu + 2ADP + 2iP
-----2 Lactate + 2ATP
 Fate of glucose in living systems

Glucose + 6O2 = 6CO2 + 6H2O δGo= -2840 kJ/mol

Glucose + 2NAD+ = 2Pyruvate + 2NADH + 2H+ δGo = -146 kJ/mol

5.2% of total free energy that can be released by glucose is released

in glycolysis.
Louis Pasteur (1822-1895)
 Historical Perspective
Glycolysis was the very first biochemistry or oldest biochemistry studied.
It is the first metabolic pathway discovered.

Louis Pasture 1854-1864: Fermentation is caused by microorganism.

Pastuer’s effect: Aerobic growth requires less glucose than anaerobic
condition.

Buchner; 1897: Reactions of glycolysis can be carried out in cell-free

yeast extract.

Harden and Young 1905: 1: inorganic phosphate is required for

fermentation. 2: yeast extract could be separated in small molecular
weight essential coenzymes or what they called Co-zymase and bigger
molecules called enzymes or zymase.

1940: with the efforts of many workers, complete pathways for glycolysis
was established.
There are 10 enzyme-catalyzed reactions in glycolysis.
There are two stages

Stage 1: (Reactions 1-5) A preparatory stage in which glucose is

phosphorylated, converted to fructose which is again forphorylated
and cleaved into two molecules of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate. In
this phase there is an investment of two molecules of ATP.
Stage 2: (Reactions 6-10) The two molecules of glyceraldehyde-3-
phosphate are converted to pyruvate with concomitant generation of
four ATP molecules and two molecules of NADH. Thus there is a net
gain of two ATP molecules per molecule of Glucose in glycolysis.

Importance of phosphorylated intermediates:

1. Possession of negative charge which inhibit their diffusion through

membrane.

2. Conservation of free energy in high energy phosphate bond.

3. Facilitation of catalysis.
1. Hexokinase reaction: Phosphorylation of hexoses
(mainly glucose)

I. This enzyme is present in most cells. In liver Glucokinase is the

main hexokinase (both ISOENZYMES) which prefers glucose as
substrate.
II. It requires Mg-ATP complex as substrate. Un-complexed ATP is a
potent competitive inhibitor of this enzyme.
III. Enzyme catalyses the reaction by proximity effect; bringing the two
substrate in close proximity.
IV. This enzyme undergoes large conformational change upon binding
with Glucose. It is inhibited allosterically by G6P.
Difference between Hexokinase & Glucokinase
Km low, high affinity for glu Km high, low affinity for glu

Non-specific,can phosphorylate specific,can phosphorylate only

any of hexoses glucose

Present in tissues, supply Present in liver only, it removes

glucose to tissues even in low glucose from blood after meal.
blood glucose concentration
Not effected by insulin Stimulated by glucose and
insulin

Allosterically inhibited by Not inhibited by glu-6-PO4

glucose
2. Phosphoglucose Isomerase or Phosphohexose
Isomerase: Isomerization of G6P to Fructose 6
phosphate.

I. This enzyme catalyzes the reversible isomerization of G6P (an

aldohexose) to F6P (a ketohexose).
II. This enzyme requires Mg ++ for its activity.
III. It is specific for G6P and F6P.
3. Phosphofructokinase-1 Reaction: Transfer of
phosphoryl group from ATP to C-1 of
F6P to produce Fructose 1,6 bisphosphate.

I. This step is an important irreversible, regulatory step.

II. The enzyme Phosphofructokinase-1 is one of the most complex
regulatory enzymes, with various allosteric inhibitors and
activators.
III. ATP is an allosteric inhibitor, and Fructose 2,6 biphosphate
is an activator of this enzyme.
IV. ADP and AMP also activate PFK-1 whereas citrate is an
inhibitor.
4. Aldolase Reaction: Cleavage of Fructose 1,6
bisphosphate into glyceraldehyde 3 phosphate (an
aldose) and dihydroxy acetone phosphate (a ketose).

I. This enzyme catalyses the cleavage of F1,6 biphosphate by aldol

condensation mechanism.
II. As shown below, the standard free energy change is positive in
the forward direction, meaning it requires energy. Since the
product of this reaction are depleted very fast in the cells, this
reaction is driven in forward direction by the later two reactions.
5. Triose phosphate mutase reaction: Conversion of
Dihydroxyacetone phosphate to glyceraldehyde 3
Phosphate.

I. This a reversible reaction catalysed by acid-base catalysis in which

Histidine-95 and Glutamate -165 of the enzyme are involved.
6. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase reaction (GAPDH):
Conversion of GAP to Bisphosphoglycerate.

I. This is the first reaction of energy yielding step. Oxidation of

aldehyde derives the formation of a high energy acyl phosphate
derivative.
II. An inorganic phosphate is incorporated in this reaction without
any expense of ATP.
III. NAD+ is the cofactor in this reaction which acts as an oxidizing
agent. The free energy released in the oxidation reaction is used in
the formation of acylphosphate.
The mechanism of GAPDH reaction:

Evidence for the mechanism;

I. Iodoacetate inhibits this reaction, indicating the involvement of
Cysine residue of enzyme.
II. Tritium from GAP is transferred to NAD, indicating transfer of
hydide ion in oxidation reaction.
III. 32P exchanges with PO4- - indicating acyl enzyme intermediate.

Steps in reaction mechanism:

1. Glceraldehyde- 3- phosphate (GAP) binding to the enzyme.
2. Nucleophilic attack by SH group (sulfhydril group) on CHO group
forming a thiohemiacytal.
3. Direct transfer of hydride to NAD+ leading to the formation of
thioester. Energy of this oxidation is conserved in synthesis of
thioester and NADH.
4. Another molecule of NAD+ replaces NADH from enzyme site.
5. Nucleophilic attack on thioester by PO4– - to form 1,3
bisphosphoglycerate
7. Phosphoglycerate kinase Reaction: Transfer of phosphoryl
group fron 1,3 bisphosphoglycerate to ADP generating
ATP.
I. The name of this enzyme indicates its function for reverse
reaction.
II. It catalyses the formation by proximity effect. ADP-Mg bind on
one domain and 1,3BPG binds on the other and a conformational
change brings them together similar to hexokinase.
III. This reaction and the 6th step are coupled reaction generating
ATP from the energy released by oxidation of 3-
phosphoglyceraldehyde.
IV. This step generates ATP by SUBSTRATE-LEVEL
PHOSPHORYLATION.
8. Phosphoglycerate Mutase Reaction: Conversion of 3-
phosphoglycerate to 2-phosphoglycerate (2-PG).
I. In active form, the phosphoglycerate mutase is phosphorylated
at His-179.
II. There is transfer of the phosphoryl group frm enzyme to 3-PG,
generating enzyme bound 2,3-biphosphoglycerate intermediate.
This compound has been observed occasionally in reaction
mixture.
III. In the last step of reaction the phosphoryl group from the C-3 of
the intermediate is transferred to the enzyme and 2-PG is
released.
IV. In most cells 2,3BPG is present in trace amount, but in
erythrocytes it is present in significant amount. There it regulates
oxygen affinity to hemoglobin.
9. Enolase Reaction: Dehydration of 2-phosphoglycerate
(2-PG) to phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP).

I. Dehydration of 2-PG by this reaction increases the standard free

enrgy change of hydrolysis of phosphoanhydride bond.
II. Mechanism: Rapid extraction of proton from C-2 position by a
general base on enzyme, generating a carbanion. The abstracted
proton is readily exchanges with solvent.
III. The second rate limiting step involves elimination of OH group
generating PEP
10. Pyruvate Kinase Reaction: Transfer of phosphoryl
group from PEP to ADP generating ATP and Pyruvate.

I. This is the second substrate level phosphorylation reaction of

glycolysis.
II. This enzyme couple the free enrgy of PEP hydrolysis to the
synthesis of ATP
III. This enzyme requires Mg++ and K+
 Energetics and products of Glycolysis:

From one molecule of Glucose:

1Gl+2ATP+2NAD++ 4ADP+ 4Pi = 2pyruvate+2NADH+4ATP+ 2ADP+ 2Pi

After balancing: 1Gl + 2NAD++ 2ADP + 2Pi = 2pyruvate+2ATP + 2NADH

2 molecules of ATP generated can directly be used for doing work or

synthesis.
The 2 NADH molecules are oxidized in mitochondria under aerobic
condition and the free energy released is enough to synthesize 6
molecules of ATP by oxidative phosphorylation.

Under the aerobic condition, pyruvate is catabolized further in

mitochondria through pyruvate dehydrogenase and cytric acid cycle
where all the carbon atoms are oxidized to CO2. The free energy released
is used in the synthesis of ATP, NADH and FADH2.

Under anaerobic condition: Pyruvate is converted to Lactate in

homolactic fermentation or in ethanol in alcohalic fermentation.
 Energetics of Glycolysis Pathway
ATP FORMED:

1. Gly-3-PO4--- 1,3 Bisphosphoglycerate = 6 ATP

2. 1,3 Bisphosphoglycerate-3-Phosphoglycerate = 2 ATP

3. Phosphoenolpyruvate-- Enol pyruvate = 2 ATP

ATP CONSUMED:

4. Glucose---- Glucose-6-PO4 = 1 ATP

5. Fru-6-PO4---- Fru-1,6 bisphosphate = 1ATP

-----------------------
 Effect of hormones in glycolysis

1. Insulin stimulate Hexokinase & Glucokinase by

converting glucose to glu-6-PO4

2. Insulin stimulate Phosphofructokinase converting

fru-6-PO4 to Fru-1,6 bisphosphate

3. Glucagon stimulate liver glu-6-PO4 by converting

glu-6-PO4 to glucose & fru-1,6- bisphosphate.

4. Fru-1,6- bisphosphate is converted to fru-6-PO4

 INHIBITORS

1. Iodoacetate inhibit Gly-3-PO4 dehydrogenase

involved in gly-3-PO4 to 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate

2. Arsenate inhibit sysnthesis of ATP in the

conversion of 1,3 bisphosphoglycerate to 3-
phosphoglycerate.

3. Fluoride inhibit enolase in conversion of 2-

Phosphoglycerate to phosphoglycerate
Homolactic Fermentation:

In an anaerobic condition or in the need of

sudden need of high amount of ATP, glycolysis
is the main source for generation of ATP.
NAD+ is one of the crucial cofactor required for
GAPDH reaction. In order to regenerate NAD+
from the reduced form (NADH), this reaction
takes place in muscle cells.

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) reduces pyruvate

to lactate using NADH and thereby oxidizing it to
NAD+ .

Other than regenerating NAD+ for running

GAPDH reaction, LDH reaction is a waste of
energy, and its product lactic acid brings the pH
lower and causes fatigue.
Glycolysis can generate
sudden burst of ATP
without oxygen, using
glucose and glycogen
storage of muscle and liver.

NAD+ is regenerated by
lactic fermentation to carry
out GAPDH reaction of
glycolysis.
Alcoholic fermentation:
Microorganisms and yeast convert
pyruvate to alcohol and carobon
dioxide to regenerate NAD+ for
glycolysis (step 6, GAPDH).

It is a two step process:

1. Pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC)
reaction: This enzyme is Mg++-
dependent and requires an enzyme-
bound cofactor, thiamine
pyrophosphate (TPP). In this reaction
a molecule of CO2 is released
producing acetaldehyde.
2. Alcohal dehydrogenase reaction:
Acetaldehyde is reduced to ethanol
using NADH as reducing power, thus
regenerating NAD+ .
Reaction mechanism of
PDC

I. Nucleophilic attack on
cabonyl gp carbon of
pyruvate by TPP
anion.
II. Departure of CO2
leaving the carbanion-
TPP adduct.
III. Protonation of
carbanion
IV. Release of
acetaldehyde
following
regeneration of TPP
Regulation of Glycolysis:

Two types controls for metabolic reactions:

a) Substrate limited : When concentrations of reactant and products

in the cell are near equilibrium, then it is the availability of
substrate which decides the rate of reaction.

b) Enzyme-limited: When concentration of substrate and products are

far away from the equilibrium, then it is activity of enzyme that
decides the rate of reaction. These reactions are the one which
control the flux of the overall pathway.

There are three steps in glycolysis that have enzymes which regulate
the flux of glycolysis.

I. The hexokinase (HK)

II. The phoshofructokinase (PFK)
III. The pyruvate kinase
Phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK-1):

It’s activity is controlled by a complex allosteric regulation.

This reaction commits the cells to channel glucose to glycolysis.

ATP is the end product of glycolysis as well as it is substrate for PFK-1.

In presence of high concentration of ATP, ATP binds to inhibition site
of PFK, and thereby decreases the activity of enzyme.

AMP, ADP and Fructose 2, 6 biphosphate act as allosteric activators of

this enzyme.
Activation of enzyme by AMP overcomes the inhibitory effect of ATP.

Two other enzymatic activities are involved in the regulation of PFK.

a) Adnylate kinase: It readily equilibrates 2 ADP molecules to one ATP
and 1 AMP: 2ADP = ATP + AMP, K = [ATP][AMP] / [ADP] = 0.44
Any decrease in ATP and increase in ADP results in an increase in AMP
concentration, which activates PFK.

b) Fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase): It catalyzes conversion of FBP

to Fructose 6-phosphate, thus reverting back the PFK reaction.
Substrate cycle or futile cycle: In order to control the flux of
glycolysis and to have better regulation, cells have FBPase which
keeps degrading the product of PFK reaction (FBP) to its substrate (F-
6-P). This is called substrate cycle.
This is a futile exercise where, cells invest an ATP to produce FBP
which is hydrolysed back to F6-P by FBPase. This is a price cells pay
to keep glycolysis in check.
AMP acts as a potent inhibitor of FBPase. Thus the rate of glycolysis
can be increased many fold by AMP as it activates PFK and at the same
time it inhibits FBPase activity.

Hexokinase: It is allosterically inhibited by its product Glucose 6

phosphate. In liver Glucokinase is inhibited by Fructose 6 Phosphate.
Uncomplexed ATP acts as a competitive inhibitor of this enzyme.

Pyruvate Kinase: It is allosterically inhibited by ATP. ATP binding to

the inhibitor site of pyruvate kinase decxreases its ability to bing to
phosphoenol pyruvate (PEP) the substrate.
It is also inhibited by Acetyl coenzyme A and long chain fatty acid.