Brain microvessel hexokinase: Kinetic properties

Summary Kinetic differences between brain capillary and parenchymal hexokinase in the presence of glucose, ATP, fructose, potassium, sodium and different pH were established. Parenchymal hexokinase is more susceptible to glucose inhibition, can tolerate greater variations in the ATP concentration, is inhibited by increasing concentrations of fructose and potassium, and showed greater activity on the lower pH values. The data suggest that in brain parenchyma and endothelial cells of brain microvessels, there are 2 different enzymes with regard to the kinetic properties.